Stepping Up to the Plate

The center of attention in baseball or softball is home plate. For the pitcher to throw a strike, it has to be thrown within the strike zone which is in a certain area over home plate. Runs are scored for the team when team members cross home plate. The center of our attention as a Christian is Jesus Christ. In every book of the Bible, Jesus is revealed to us. From beginning to end, the Bible is about God’s love for us.

This past week at my church, Pastor Wayne’s message was from John 19:28-42. We read that the mission of Jesus was complete (v. 30). At the time of Jesus’ death, it seemed like the agony of “defeat” but we know now that this defeat has turned into victory on this Good Friday. For more inspiring messages, here is a Podcast of sermons: Link.

Two characters stand out in John 19:28-42. They are Joseph and Nicodemus who were at one time secret followers of Jesus. Joseph had feared the Jews (v. 39) and Nicodemus who earlier met with Jesus only in the secret of the night because of fear (v. 39). But now we see these two step up to the plate. They go before Pilate to ask him for the body of Jesus.

It took guts to take the risk they took and sometimes we have to take some risk to stand up for Jesus. It’s not always easy to live on Monday like it was Sunday but it makes a big impact when we do. Here’s a video of an inspiring true story that took place a few years ago: Sara Tucholsky – An Inspiring Softball Story.