A divine home run …

Before the holiday season began this year we had the conclusion of baseball season, capped as usual with the World Series.

During a sermon, Tom Conant talked about baseball and the thrill of a home run:

Everybody loves a home run. It is so exciting to see the batter stand at the plate, especially if the game is on the line, size up the pitcher, make just the right swing, and then see the ball soar high into the centerfield seats. Wow, now that’s baseball! But I would like to suggest to you that even a home run starts at first base. Listen, by the rules, when you hit a home run, you must round the bases beginning with first base, and touch every base before you can touch home plate and be awarded a home run. If you miss one or go the wrong direction, you’ll be called out. Every run in baseball begins with first base and a whole lot more runs are scored by those who get singles or walks than by those who hit homers. First base is, after all, first base.

If we were to apply Conant’s story to God’s great mission of reconciling us to Himself through Christ, then He has hit a home run! That would mean “first base” is Christmas, God giving the world a Savior in Jesus Christ.

Second base? That would be Jesus offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins on the cross.

That leaves “third base” being the resurrection, Jesus defeating sin’s penalty of death.

And rounding home plate? Christ’s ascension back to Father.

But He’ll be back, and when he returns we’ll celebrate that glorious home run!

Scotty