One of the most compelling storylines of this year’s Winter Olympics was U.S. hockey, with both the men’s and women’s teams bringing home gold. It reminded many of us of the iconic 1980 men’s team that unexpectedly won gold. That team was the youngest and most inexperienced the U.S. had ever sent to the Olympics.

In the semifinal game, they faced the mighty Soviet team, who were not only heavily favored but had previously defeated the U.S. national team 10–3. No one expected the young U.S. team to even keep up. Yet in the third period, the U.S. scored two goals to take the lead, and goalie Jim Craig blocked shot after shot to hold it. Against all odds, the U.S. team prevailed,  leading to Al Michaels’ famous call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

In Acts 19, Paul and his team are in Ephesus, a major city deeply committed to the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis. It’s not the kind of place you’d expect people to be ready and willing to embrace the message of Jesus. But again, against all odds, the good news of Jesus prevails.