Why Do We Love Underdogs?

Each year, the NCAA tournament is one of my favorite sporting events. There's a reason they call it March Madness. It's because the best part about it is the upsets by the no-name schools from the tiny conferences, who annually knock off the big boys like Georgetown, Wisconsin, Villanova and (especially!) Kansas. If you're anything like me, you don't mind seeing your brackets completely implode if it's becasue Cinderalla has shown up at the dance.

Doug Wolter suggests that our love for underdogs is rooted in the fact that Jesus was the ultimate underdog.

He came as a tiny baby from the little town of Bethlehem. He worked in obscurity as a humble carpenter. He grew to be a poor man despised by the world and betrayed by his friends. And he died a humble death on a cross. But there was victory. Victory and glory seen through humility.

I love the line from one song that says, “Who would’ve thought that a lamb could rescue the souls of men?” That lamb is our Victor. That’s our Champion. The lamb who was slain. The Savior who came out of nowhere to defeat the greatest opponent ever-sin and death. And we will spend eternity in awe of this humble, crucified King.

So, why do we love the underdog? Because we follow the One who lived humbly, suffered greatly, and died horribly, but now reigns in victory.

You can read Doug's whole post here.