Can you imagine training for a race by running up steep hills in heavy army boots? How about wearing a gas mask to help your breath control while you were running? Or what about running in place for hours in a small room at different speeds after your government said you couldn’t be outside? Sound sort of crazy? I know of a man who did all of these.
He was considered to be one of the greatest distance runners ever to step onto a track. Even though he died a couple of years ago, He is still one of the most celebrated sporting figures in Czechoslovakia. During a six year period of time, 1948-54, Emil Zatopek could not be beaten in the 10,000 meter race. In fact, no one could even get close to him. His dominance was so superior that he had to motivate himself by focusing on breaking his own existing world record. Even though I’m the “older gentleman” that travels and ministers with Ben, I wasn’t old enough to see Emil run but I’ve heard what some of his fellow runners have said about him. While running, Emil’s red face looked like he was being tortured, his tongue flicked in and out of his mouth Michael Jordan style, and his loud wheezing made him sound as if he was one breath away from dropping over dead. Oh how deceiving looks can be as Emil’s running opponents could testify. When it was all said and done, Emil had set 18 world records in various distance races and captured four gold medals in the Olympics.
His most astonishing accomplishment on the track was in 1952 at the Helsinki Olympic Games where he won the gold medal in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races and then the grueling 26.2 mile marathon. And listen to this— that last event was his first attempt ever at that distance. When he returned to Czechoslovakia he was loved and honored as a national hero. In one interview he was asked how he felt after those three extremely demanding races. Graciously, he told them that it took so much out of his legs that he had difficulty walking for days but he went on to say, “It was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.”
Can you imagine a man willingly permitting his enemies to capture and torture him? How about a man who was king choosing to be a servant? Or what about a man who declared that a grave could not keep him dead and then told his executioners that he forgave them just before they put him to death? Sound crazy? I know a man who did all these and more.
Jesus Christ was rejected, ridiculed, beaten, and savagely crucified to death as a criminal. But oh how deceiving looks can be as a “multitude of witnesses” can testify. He is God’s perfect Son who experienced the ultimate “pleasant exhaustion” for the love of his heavenly Father and, listen to this—for the love of you and for me…in fact, for all people. When it was all said and done Jesus had secured the victory over sin and death for anyone who would receive him as the Victor. Now he invites us to step up on the victory stand with him and receive the prize…LIFE…abundant and eternal. I can’t think of a better reason to love and honor him and thank Him for His “most pleasant exhaustion.”
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full…I lay down my life…I give them eternal life and they shall never perish…I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE…I am the resurrection and the LIFE” (Words from Jesus found in John 10, 11, & 14).
