If you’re a golfer, you’re likely to be familiar with the name Lee Trevino, the “Merry Mex” and “Supermex” who made his living playing professional golf for many years. In a television documentary several years ago, the commentator told about Trevino’s efforts to get on the PGA tour as a young “nobody,” noting the difficulty of getting past the credentials committee’s reluctance to accept him because of his assumed inexperience. There was also the issue of Lee’s Mexican heritage. 

    A friend and fellow player reportedly said that if Lee didn’t make it on the professional tour, they could have his playing card. This went a long way in helping Trevino be accepted and win 58 official tournaments on the PGA and Champions Tours, including the U.S. Open (1968, 1971), the (British) Open Championship (1971, 1972), the PGA Championship (1974, 1984).
       It takes some degree of moral courage to stand up for others when they are being discriminated against or attacked. For example, it took courage for Jonathan, son of Israel’s king Saul, to stand up for his friend David in the face of his father’s jealousy and hatred of the young shepherd.  (1 Samuel 19) It took courage for Barnabas to stand up for Saul, the former persecutor of Christians (to be known later as Paul), in spite of the fear and distrust of the Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 9). 
       It took courage for Paul to stand up for the Gentiles in Antioch against the injustice exhibited by his Jewish Christian brothers, including even Peter and Barnabas.  (Galatians 2) It took courage for John to stand against the self-willed and dictatorial leadership of Diotrephes (3 John.)
       As in everything, Jesus is our flawless pattern of courage in the face of whatever challenges we face. He exhibited that bravery countless times as he traveled the length and breadth of his homeland. Whether in cleansing the temple (Matthew 21; John 2), reprimanding the hypocrisy of the Jews (for example, in Matthew 23 and John. 8), or enduring the torture and humiliation of his trials and crucifixion, Jesus was willing to stand up for those who were threatened by Satan. 

    Even though fearful of the terrible suffering he knew was coming, he had learned obedience to his Father’s will so well through the trials he had already faced, he was able to overcome the horror of death at the hands of the Jews and Romans. Through his courageous submission, “he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
       Whenever we’re faced with the need for spiritual courage, let us remember the model exhibited by the Son of God, and follow the urging of the apostle Paul, who said, “Be on you guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”  (1 Corinthians 16:13)