Woody Hayes was the winningest coach in Big 10 history. He won or shared 14 conference titles and won three national championships. His legacy was tarnished when he was fired for slugging a Clemson player who had intercepted a pass during the 1978 Gator Bowl. That punch ended his career and overshadowed everything about the bowl game, including a breakthrough win for Clemson. This wasn’t the first time Hayes lost control on the sidelines. He destroyed the down markers during a 1971 Michigan game and shoved news photographers out of his way. His own players and coaches knew to watch for his bursts of anger and intensity.

Matthew 26 – The Need for the Holy Spirit

Peter was as impulsive and temperamental as Woody Hayes! He declared his superior loyalty (Matthew 26:33), rejecting the idea that he would disown Jesus. But the Lord knew Peter better than Peter knew Peter. Three times that very night, Peter would deny ever knowing Jesus! Sure enough, after Jesus’ arrest, the disciples (except John and Peter) fled. John knew the high priest, and he gained access to the scene of Jesus’ midnight trial. He brought Peter along. But when Peter was recognized by the enemies of Jesus as one of His followers, he denied it each time. This took place during the interrogation and beating of Jesus in the high priest’s courtyard, who presided over his torture.

If Jesus didn’t keep His hand on us, we’d all deny Him! He knows us as well as he knew Peter. It wasn’t that Peter didn’t love Jesus, for he would have fought and died for him. But the flesh he trusted was so inconsistent and weak, and he lacked the power to carry out his best intentions. That’s why he needed the Spirit of God living inside. He didn’t know his own weakness. Only when the Spirit came to indwell him (and all believers) would Peter be transformed! And only by the power of the Spirit are we changed.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete guard against arrogance like the disciples who insisted, “That will never be me!” They turn to God in repentance, relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to be conformed to the image of Christ.

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 –

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you: and behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 LSB

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