During the 2017 basketball season, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski was forced to have back surgery and miss several weeks of the season. The Blue Devils went 4-3 with associate head coach Jeff Capel running things in the interim.

“Coach K’s energy, his fight, his spark, seeing him in the huddle was big for us,” Grayson Allen said. “Coach Capel and his staff did a great job, and they made sure that the program stayed up while (Krzyzewski) was gone, but having Coach back and having his face and energy on the sideline was nice.” The 21st-ranked Blue Devils made Krzyzewski a winner in his return to the sideline after back surgery, beating Pittsburgh 72-64. “You forget how lucky you are until something is taken away from you,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m going to be 70 years old in a week or so, and I still get this?”

Mark 14 – Stable Leadership

Grayson Allen and his teammates understood Coach K’s stabilizing influence and couldn’t wait for his return. Whenever the coach is gone, the team tends to stumble. Jesus prepared his disciples in chapter 14 for the difficult leadership transition ahead. It’s hard enough for a team to lose their coach for a few weeks; imagine what it was like for the disciples who had Jesus as their shepherd and coach for three years!

During these final hours before His death, Jesus spent time coaching His disciples and preparing them for the confusing days ahead. He told them they would all “fall away” (14:27). No doubt, He wanted them to know this moment of weakness wouldn’t end their relationship with Him.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete place their trust and faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They’re thankful for the stabilizing influence of their relationship with Him and how His plan included the Holy Spirit to grow His kingdom.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the Throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of His kingdom.” Luke 1:32-33 LSB

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