I love to watch the big guys at our football practices. Today many of them are almost 300-pound giants whose names will never be called out over the speakers at games. In the winter they spend time in the weight room getting bigger and stronger and building the stamina they need to push against the opposition. At practices they spend time working on their footwork and making sure that every step puts them in a position to make a solid block. Their names don’t show up in the stat sheets for yardage or touchdowns, but no team will ever win without them.

John the Baptist could be considered as the greatest lineman Jesus had in front of Him. John's actions were never about seeking glory for himself but about doing everything he could to clear the way for Jesus.

A lineman’s joy can be seen when he runs into the end zone and lifts up the running back for whom he and his teammates cleared the way. As part of “Team Jesus Christ,” we can do the same for other believers and for Christ Himself. We can spend the time in the Bible (our spiritual weight room) getting stronger so that we can play our best for our Savior. We can spend time with God to ensure that every step we take puts us in position to clear the way for others to score by coming to know Christ.

In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said, "I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Today, consider yourself one of the best spiritual linemen in the body of Christ. Do your best to create holes in the opposition that will lead to spiritual touchdowns. Then, get ready to embrace the joy of celebrating in the end zone with the rest of Team Jesus Christ and rejoicing in the ultimate victory.