Olympics are in full force, and I’ll probably do some lessons learned as I usually do. But this story can’t wait. It’s about the Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina after a successful ride on an epic wave:

According to What’s the story behind this insane, viral Olympic surf shot? by Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register, Gabriel is not saying that he’s #1 or that the Brazilians are #1, he’s pointing to Jesus:

So what did the finger mean? Was Medina telling the world he’s No. 1? A premonition that the Brazilians will come in No. 1 spot at the Olympic games to win gold?

Medina, who is devoutly religious, days earlier had to cover an image of Jesus on his surfboard due to Olympic rules.

But his faith-based messaging came in a new form as Medina pointed toward the sky, the photo capturing his relaxed body floating above the saltwater in the air in a seemingly mystical image.

“I can do everything through him who strengthens,” Medina wrote on social media under the unbelievable shot shared around the world.

The article is worth the read in its entirety and includes this picture of him on the actual wave:

God has people everywhere, even if there are those in Paris trying to proclaim another message.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4.13, NKJV)

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. (Philippians 4.22, ESV)

P.S. There is doubt in some circles about whether what I wrote yesterday about the Opening Ceremony mocking Da Vinci’s Last Supper is accurate. Here’s an alternate view with some good lessons by a Christian art teacher: The Paris Olympics’ Altar to an Unknown God. And here’s another alternate view that explains that how art is perceived is as important a consideration as how it was intended to be perceived: The Lessons of the Paris Olympics Tableau.

P.P.S. Christianity Today published a beautiful article on this photo on August 9, 2024.