Running the Race

High above the centre of the ancient site of Delphi is this wonderful stadium, built first in the fifth century BC and upgraded by the Roman emperor Hadrian in the second century AD. It was used for the Pythian games which were apparently second in significance only to the Olympic games (although the Isthmian games hosted near Corinth would want to argue the toss on that one).

It is the finest stadium we will see on our travels, and it seemed a good time to reflect on athletic imagery used by the apostle Paul in his writings. He knew that games like those in Delphi played a very significant role in Greek cultural life and so he uses images from athletics to illustrate his approach to following Jesus, or, as he sees it, the Christian race.

There are a number of examples in Paul's letters but the best example is perhaps from his first letter to the Corinthians who were very proud of their Isthmian games. Paul encouraged them to learn from the example of the athlete:

'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.' (1 Cor 9:24-25)

Apparently the winning athletes in Corinth received a crown made of celery leaves; clearly it did not last long! How much better, Paul says, to run for the crown of glory which awaits not just the winner but all who finish the race trusting in Christ. That's a prize worth running for.