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During festivities in Hutchinson, Kansas, a football player and student athlete stood before 1,300 of his peers with a large Bible as he was crowned homecoming king.
A fuzzy image of Noah Khokhar with a black Bible in his hand is drawing praise for the football player’s bold support for the Word of God, and for the King of Kings, Jesus.
A Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leader posted on Facebook the picture of Khokhar honoring the true King, Jesus, during Hutchinson High School’s homecoming week that culminated with a 35-21 victory against Maize South High on Friday, Sept. 16.
“This picture of Hutchinson’s homecoming king is so fitting… precisely because it is a blurred picture,” FCA Leader Ben Brown wrote beneath the image of Khokhar.
“You see, Noah Khokhar is a star athlete, an excellent student, and a ‘nice guy’ who is well-liked by all.
“Yet, Noah would rather people see past him and to the true King, because Noah loves the praise of God more than the praises of men,” Brown wrote.
Further honoring the student athlete, Brown added: “When given an opportunity to show the whole school what matters most to him, he didn’t choose a football or track baton. He walked out in front of 1,300 students with his Bible.”
Khokhar’s deference to King Jesus, Brown pointed out, reflects the Savior’s words of encouragement in John 12:32: “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to me.”
“Noah may be homecoming king, but he knows who his King is…and today Noah chose to lift up his King for all to see. May many be drawn to fall down and worship at the feet of the King of Kings,” Brown encouraged.
The leader then commented on his post. “Before honor comes humility. Noah has set an example which points us to Jesus, who took the lowest place of all, dying on a cross in the place of all mankind, and now the Father has exalted Him!”
Praise from others followed Khokhar’s honoring the Word of God.
“Wow, what an encouraging inspiration,” Lisa McHugh wrote. “Praying for that young man that he will continue to grow in the knowledge of God’s love for him and be used by God to continue sharing that love with others in wisdom and truth.”
Teacher Karie Griffith Ohnmacht commented, “I loved getting to know Noah as a student in my classroom.”
A woman who met Kohkhar at camp, Amber Denny commented, “We really enjoyed getting to know him at camp. Grateful for his life of faith.”
Inspired by Kohkhar’s courage, Debbie Ingemanson Ortega offered this praise: “Noah, you are an exceptional and deeply inspiring young man.” {eoa}
Steve Rees is a former general assignment reporter who, with one other journalist, first wrote about the national men’s movement Promise Keepers from his home in Colorado. Rees and Promise Keepers founder Bill McCartney attended the Boulder Vineyard. Today Rees writes in his free time.
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