| Hardball - article by Joel Hempel
If you are looking for a New Year’s resolution, Jesus has several dozen for your consideration. First, let me apologize to anyone reading this who is not a baseball fan. But it seems to me that if Jesus were to play a professional sport, it would be as a baseball pitcher throwing hard stuff and relentless fastballs down the center of the plate—no curve balls, no changeups. And if you were in the batter’s box, you would know what to expect. Nothing but heat! When I read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapters 5-7, I can only conclude that Jesus plays hardball. Beginning at verse 16 of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus pitches, that is, preaches 36 commands and warnings. Here are a few of them: - I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother [or sister] will be liable to judgment . . . and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire (5:21-22).
- You have heard it said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman [or man] with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her [him] in his [her] heart (5:27-28).
- If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (6:14-15).
- Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (7:21).
Like I said, that’s only a few. Read the comprehensive list, and I promise – you will not escape our Lord’s indictment. Who is this Jesus? We are used to the gentle Jesus who loves and heals, who touches the broken and wipes away tears, who goes out of his way to break down cultural barriers and lift up women, non-Jews, and the despised: lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, and demon-possessed. Who is this Jesus? He is the Christ, Creator of the universe, who laid down the foundations of the earth and the way life works best for all people when his Father’s will is followed. Who is this Jesus? He is the Giver of Law. And our Savior. If you read the list of God-given laws and find yourself guilty as charged, that is the Holy Spirit at work bringing to our attention the Way of Jesus and the impossibility of following that Way without the grace Jesus offers. Jesus offers himself as our hope, our help, and our way to heaven. The law and wisdom in the Sermon will bring everyone to their knees. But the Sermon should not be taken out of context. Jesus has a lot more to say to us than the tough love of Matthew 5-7. As Christians, life with Jesus always includes the hard stuff. Expect to swing and miss repeatedly. But when we play ball with Jesus, we never strike out. The Umpire is on our side. There is always: - Life coaching
- Guidance on how not to miss the hardball
- A loving team
- And always: Grace!
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