Sermon Illustrations
Amazing Soccer Goal Dubbed 'The Hand of God'
During the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup of soccer, the Argentinean forward Diego Maradona scored one of the most controversial goals in soccer history. Argentina was pitted in an emotional grudge match against England, four years after the Falklands War between the two nations and was a key part in their already intense rivalry. At half-time the score was deadlocked at 0-0.
Six minutes into the second half, the Argentinean superstar Maradona scored a goal in which he clearly used his hand to redirect the ball into the net—an obvious violation of soccer rules. Argentina won the match 2-1 thanks to a second, impressive goal scored by Maradona, described by England coach Bobby Robson as "a miracle." The South American team went on to win the World Cup that year.
After the match, when confronted with the video footage of the illegal goal, Maradona simply replied, "un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios" (or "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God"). The goal became known as the "Hand of God." But the English coach wasn't impressed with Maradona's "theology." He dubbed the goal "the hand of a rascal." Eventually Maradona admitted that his illegal handball made the goal possible, but he stood by the goal.
Possible Preaching Angles: (1) Human freedom; Sovereignty of God; Responsibility—This true story raises some interesting questions about the sovereignty of God: What part is human freedom? What part of our lives really is the "hand of God"? Do we ever shirk our responsibility by blaming our actions on "the hand of God"? (2) Dishonesty; Honesty; Integrity
You can watch the "Hand of God" goal on YouTube.