A lifelong learning course in one book - the Bible
October 19, 2026
Fifty-two years ago, in what was arguably the greatest sporting moment of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali regained the world heavyweight championship by scoring an eighth-round knockout of the supposedly invincible George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. “The Rumble in the Jungle”, as it has come to be known.
The fight had everything: the two best heavyweights, the mysterious locale, incredible action, and a storybook ending. However, this showdown is also remembered for the winner exhibiting ‘ring genius’ in the sport’s long history.
Before “The Greatest” found the punches required to cement his legend, he drained Foreman of energy and strength by placing himself in incredible jeopardy. Against an opponent with 37 knockouts in 40 straight wins, the challenger stood with his back to the ropes, feet planted, and subtly defused the lethal bombs coming his way. Rope-a-dope was the ring strategy.
I witnessed this strategy in a video of a table tennis match. One player kept lobbing the ball to have it smashed back 18 consecutive times, ‘draining’ the smasher. Then, in four swift returns, the game wrapped up.
In tennis, a forced error happens when a player makes a mistake in responding to an opponent’s play. A ‘forced error’ reflects the opponent’s skill to win the point. A ‘forced error’ is enforced through aggressive net play, psychological pressure, and speed and angle variations.
Some of the proud religious law-keepers and Herod’s men were sent to trap Jesus in His talk. They came to Him and said, “Teacher, we know You are true. We know You are not afraid of what men think or say about You. You teach the way of God in truth.
To soften Jesus into lowering His guard, they began with flattery that happened to be the truth. The law-keepers took pains to emphasise, repeat, and speak loud enough for Herod’s men to hear. To force Jesus into an error. Human intellect vs divine wisdom.
Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not pay?”
We know “Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Ps 121:4) Jesus knew how they pretended to be someone they were not. Jesus called a spade a spade.
He said to them, “Why do you try to trap Me? Bring Me a small piece of money so I may look at it.” They brought Him one. He asked them, “Whose picture is this? Whose name is on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. Pay to God the things that belong to God.” They were surprised and wondered at Him. (Mk 12:13-17)
Immigration officers are like the religious law-makers of Jesus’ time. Their mandate too is to trap, not a legal immigrant like Jesus (“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (Jn 1:14)), but an illegal one.
They read the person before they examine the papers. A well-crafted application is admittedly correct but has discreet omissions that were not asked for. “Ask no questions, tell no lies”. But a person’s intent to deceive unravels in tell-tale signs. His sweat glands act up, and his eyes refuse to engage. An extended engagement, whether in chess or at a tennis match, builds pressure to force an error. A prized skill for an immigration officer.
The Bible is a master class in management. We see it play out over four thousand years and is sworn by those who have achieved success in their life, ethically. Zig Ziglar, a renowned life coach, wears the Bible on his sleeve. He says, “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel in my talks on Salesmanship.”
There are sheep, and there are shepherds. The Bible is the interplay of these two entities. It starts at the very beginning in Genesis. God was the Shepherd. It was God’s responsibility to find the pasture for Adam and Eve. As the Creator, He had to lay down the rules. Adam and Eve transgressed the rule and were cast away to find and cultivate their own pasture, “By the sweat of your brow…” (Gen 3:19)
The founder CEO of a company works hard to find pasture, the market for the product, where his employees are shepherded to bear fruit. There are rules. Stray from the rules, and you will have to find your own pasture to graze.
Just as there is one God. There is one CEO. Only schizophrenic companies have two CEOs. Each is still a CEO of his domain. In Jesus’ case, God was the chairman, and his rightful heir the CEO.
As CEO, Jesus first job was recruitment. In a highly competitive market, the best talent, the lawmakers, were taken by a competitive company whose values clashed with the company, the Catholic Church, that Jesus was building. Not that Jesus would have them even if they were available. Jesus created a three-year training program to create a talent pool.
It was not arbitrary. It was Vision-led. Bring salvation to souls lost in the ocean of deceit ruled by Lucifer, the fallen angel. The Mission: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mk 16:15). The Values: The Beatitudes (Mt 5:2-12): be like the least of the brethren they were to shepherd.
Empires built on Aristotle and Plato’s philosophy lasted centuries but ultimately collapsed. But Jesus’ assurance to Peter has already lasted two millennia. “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:18). No man-made empire or institution can ever hope to replicate God’s Company, the Holy Catholic Church for all people of goodwill.
- Mathew Anthony
