What the devil means for bad, God will use for good.
The blatant mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics has drawn widespread condemnation from the global Christian community.
But let’s not stop there. This moment also presents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to God and to turn what was meant for harm into a powerful testament of faith and resilience.
While statistics might show a decline in Christianity and a shift towards a more secular, post-Christian society, let’s remember that there are still an estimated 2.6 billion Christians worldwide. The collective gasp of shock and outrage from believers across the globe following the Olympic lampoon of the Last Supper was a clear indication of our unified stance against such blasphemy.
Despite an apology from the organizers, claiming no intention to mock Christians, we must remain vigilant. As Jesus taught, we need to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The imagery used was far from benign; it was an open attack on our faith and values, mirroring the daily challenges faced by Christian businesses that are often ostracized and canceled for standing firm in their beliefs.
Living in the world but not being of the world (John 17:14-16) requires us to resist conforming to its patterns. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation enables us to discern and follow God’s will, which is good, pleasing and perfect.
The story of Jesus flipping tables in the temple, found in all four Gospels, symbolizes a righteous stand against the desecration of what is holy. Similarly, we are called to stand against the mockery of our faith. It’s interesting that, following the Olympics opening ceremonies incident, there was a significant spike in online searches for “The Last Supper,” showing a renewed interest and curiosity about this pivotal moment in Christian history.
Genesis 50:20 provides a profound perspective: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” This verse encapsulates the transformative power of God’s intervention.
Christian business leaders, let this incident be a call to action. Seize this moment to share the good news of Jesus Christ, especially while the world is talking about the Last Supper.
Through unity and faith, we can turn the tables on any challenge, demonstrating that what the devil means for bad, God will use for good.
Let us continue to be the light in a world that often walks in darkness, shining brightly with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
