Kobe, Kobe, Kobe!
By Jason Huffman, Youth Minister, Meadowbrook Baptist Church, Rockdale, Texas
Kobe, Kobe, Kobe! It is obvious this thing is not going to go away, so I suppose it is worthy of our attention. Of course I am talking about Kobe Bryant - basketball's next Michael Jordan - who admittedly committed adultery and is in preliminary hearings for sexual assault. Why this issue? Because Kobe is a hero to thousands of boys and young men all across the country, that's why. This cultural icon and all-American guy who is so good at round-ball that he didn't even have to play in college, but went straight to the NBA and was perceived by many to be clean-cut and straight-laced has now been caught in a godless act and has been accused of rape. So what are the implications for the parents of these children who have idolized #8?
When examining the ministry of Jesus, we can see that he was an expert at using object lessons to make his point. He used trees, coins, sheep, and people just to name a few. But these did not always come across as planned, rehearsed discourses cleverly designed to dumbfound his audience. The Master used the curiosity of his followers (and sometimes his critics) as an open door to teaching. In Mark 11, Jesus and his disciples discover a fruitless fig tree on the side of the road. He curses the tree, proceeds to clear out the Temple, then he returns by the same way. This time, as his disciples have observed the day's events and the withered tree, he uses it as an object lesson to teach them about faith.
What does that have to do with Kobe Bryant? I think it has a lot to do with it. This hot topic is not going away from our televisions, newspapers, and magazines. Therefore, parents have 2 options - address the Kobe issue with their kids, or let their children draw their own conclusions about the situation. It was frightening to me, as I watched ESPN the other day. They interviewed some children asking their opinion of Kobe's situation. The saddest thing I found is there were so many young children who understood basketball enough to make him a hero, but who were too young to even understand the nature of the crime.
Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying we should use this as a platform to tell our kids about the "birds and the bees." Also, if your child has no clue who Kobe Bryant is then don't press the issue. But for the rest of us, this is a great opportunity to talk to our children about making good decisions, and honoring promises in marriage. With older students, it is a good way to lead into a discussion about sexual purity, and adultery. I also think Kobe's wife is setting an example as she has chosen to stand by her husband. I think young ladies have a lot to learn from seeing a lady in her position handling this in a positive manner and remaining faithful to her marriage. If these issues are not addressed, the door is open for children to form a belief that if someone is famous enough then rules don't apply. There is also the idea that if he is not convicted then there is nothing wrong with what he did. As in the case of adultery, we must teach our children that just because something is legal, it isn't necessarily right.
A lot of people have been disappointed by #8's actions including his wife, teammates, sponsors, and fans. But as Joseph said at the end of Genesis, "What you intended for harm, God intended for good." God has a way of bringing good out of bad situations. So, in the midst of this high-profile scandal, thousands of kids are getting an object lesson about sin and consequences.
