When I first arrived in Milan in 2003, I was just 21 years old. In my position on the field were fellow Brazilian and World Cup winner, Rivaldo, and Champions League winner and Portuguese international, Rui Costa, arguably the two best midfielders in the world at that time. Despite the competition in my position, manager Carlo Ancelotti chose to play me over the experienced veterans as soon as I arrived.
Instead of resenting me, Costa and Rivaldo chose to show me compassion. A kind of compassion that extended beyond our competition for playing time. Even when there was just one place on the field for the three of us, we chose fairness and respect for one another over bitterness and envy.
Jesus demonstrated a compassion that extends beyond rivalries, outward appearances, and cultural practices.
This compassion, Kingdom compassion, is not influenced by our feelings or selfish motives. It is a self-sacrificing, other-honoring, counter-cultural type of love.
This is what it means to belong to Jesus: to show compassion to the people the world thinks you should reject.
These are the values of His Kingdom.
The world teaches us to reject the person who is competing for our starting place. Jesus teaches us to embrace that person and guide them.
The world teaches us that people who are not on our team are our enemies. Jesus says that everyone is worthy of his love and salvation.
The world teaches us to prioritize our own interests. Jesus teaches us to share and look to the common good.
When we belong to Jesus, we obey a different set of rules. We do not follow the logic of this world; rather, we reflect the logic of God, the character of our heavenly Father, through love, mercy, grace, and compassion.
Challenge
How can you reflect the character of God to others this week?
Ask God to search your heart. What is stopping you from showing the kind of compassion Jesus calls us to?
Prayer
Father, we thank you for your great compassion towards us. We thank you that when we gave you every reason to reject us, you still loved us, enough to give your very life for our sake. Make our hearts like yours, Jesus – tender, compassionate, and kind. Help us embrace the people the world rejects, see everyone as worthy of love, and put others above ourselves. May we be reflections of your character all the time. Amen.
Summary
Kaka has reminded us that true greatness is not found in trophies or titles, but in belonging to Jesus. When we know who we are in Him, we can play and live with confidence, humility, and freedom. We love our opponents, show mercy to the defeated, and care deeply for our teammates because that’s what Jesus did for us. Our performance may rise and fall, but our identity in Christ never changes. We are called to reflect His Kingdom values—love, grace, and compassion—wherever we go, on and off the field.
Next Steps
We have other devotionals from World Cup players and athletes like Kaka. You can find them on the Athletes in Action Connect page here in the Bible App. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep walking with Jesus through His Word.
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