Marathon man

As part of the Sport Relief coverage, BBC 1 aired a documentary on Sunday evening which covered the contribution made by comedian Eddie Izzard. In case you missed the story, Izzard (a stocky, un-athletic guy in his late forties) raised over £1m for Sport Relief by running around the UK. He completed a circuit from London via Wales, N Ireland and Scotland, a journey which amounted to running 43 marathons, in a schedule which allowed only a day off each week.

As someone who is relatively fit but finds it hard to get his head round running one marathon, this achievement is completely mind-blowing. Julia and I found ourselves saying over and over, as we watched: 'it's incredible'. And if the evidence had not been before our eyes, we would not have believed it.

Strangely enough, I bumped into Eddie Izzard in Soho (as you do) soon after he finished. He looked in pretty good shape (tanned and wearing a bright blue jump suit!). I wish I'd been switched on enough to say something meaningful - not that he seemed anxious to talk to anyone.

One of the things which came across very clearly in the documentary is that this astonishing achievement was largely down to Izzard's sheer determination and stubborness. He simply wasn't going to be beaten. Of course, he had a top-notch support team, and was fortunate not to pick up any major injuries. But the battle was won in his head as much as through his physical strength.

On Sunday, we were looking at Jesus making his way down from Capernaum in the north to the region of Judea and ultimately, to Jerusalem. A journey which was arduous enough in itself. But made much more so by the fact that he was going to Jerusalem to die. He knew this - was certain of it - and yet knew also that he had to go, that this was his calling.

We know that Jesus' intuition was correct - he was arrested, tortured and executed - and yes, he rose again to life - he'd seen that too. We know too that even in Jerusalem, Jesus agonised over the choice he was making. This was no easy or comfortable decision. But it was the right one, for him, and ultimately, for the whole world. For Jesus too, the battle was won in his head, as he determined to be obedient to his calling, whatever the cost.

No wonder Paul urged his brothers and sisters in Rome to be 'transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Rom 12:2).