You're Out!
This past week, New Life played it’s first softball game of the summer. Talk about a battle….New Life against “Joe’s.” They were a group of superstar softball players (totally kidding on the superstar) actually they were just a group of guys that called themselves, “average Joe’s.”
Well, I have to admit, New Life is anything but average….we are old, slow and out of shape. If I have to hear any more old men complain about how sore they are.....I guess I’ll just keep smiling and laughing with them. The game actually turned out in our favor….we came back to win in the bottom of the last inning. So we are 1-0….undefeated and ready for next week.
During the game, we were knotted at 0-0 after the first half inning in the field. After a few batters, it was my turn, so I took the long walk from the on deck circle to the batters box. I kicked a little dirt around and got settled in to my batters stance. After taking a practice swing, I looked around the outfield for weaknesses and then focused on the pitcher. At that moment, behind my “game face” I was just hoping to get a hit.
“BATTERS OUT!”
I looked back at the ump, and he looked at me like I was deaf…. “You’re Out!” Was this some kind of cruel joke, the ball hadn’t even been pitched yet. Then as though he didn’t owe me an explanation, the umpire said, “You’re wearing your wedding ring.” I’m thinking to myself, (Sarcasm alert) “Uh, huh….very observant.”
My temptation to argue was very brief since I couldn’t think of anything to dispute, so I just walked back to the dugout. I knew “Coach” would not be happy. He warned me 15 minutes earlier to take it off and I just plain forgot. I was without excuse. I felt like a loser…not quite as much of a loser as a few of the other guys throughout the night (I won’t mention any names :-) ).
I certainly felt helpless after getting called out. There was nothing I could do but accept the judgment of the umpire. At the risk of sounding sacrilegious by comparing our text for the week to my softball episode, Jesus experienced an unfair and extreme trial far beyond my caper in the batters box on Tuesday.
This Sunday, we take the journey with Jesus from Annas and Caiaphas to Pilate. This certainly is “A trial of epic proportions.” The focus of the entire service will be on the “Kingship of Jesus.” I invite you to study the text before coming, found in John 18:28-40. If you are interested there is a great timeline and map of the events of the week here.
I also remind you that if you have not been able to join in a small group, now is a great time to check one out. Our downtown small group will be serving dinner over at the Ronald McDonald house. If you are interested in joining in you can contact Trent. I hope you have a super-duper weekend!
Well, I have to admit, New Life is anything but average….we are old, slow and out of shape. If I have to hear any more old men complain about how sore they are.....I guess I’ll just keep smiling and laughing with them. The game actually turned out in our favor….we came back to win in the bottom of the last inning. So we are 1-0….undefeated and ready for next week.
During the game, we were knotted at 0-0 after the first half inning in the field. After a few batters, it was my turn, so I took the long walk from the on deck circle to the batters box. I kicked a little dirt around and got settled in to my batters stance. After taking a practice swing, I looked around the outfield for weaknesses and then focused on the pitcher. At that moment, behind my “game face” I was just hoping to get a hit.
“BATTERS OUT!”
I looked back at the ump, and he looked at me like I was deaf…. “You’re Out!” Was this some kind of cruel joke, the ball hadn’t even been pitched yet. Then as though he didn’t owe me an explanation, the umpire said, “You’re wearing your wedding ring.” I’m thinking to myself, (Sarcasm alert) “Uh, huh….very observant.”
My temptation to argue was very brief since I couldn’t think of anything to dispute, so I just walked back to the dugout. I knew “Coach” would not be happy. He warned me 15 minutes earlier to take it off and I just plain forgot. I was without excuse. I felt like a loser…not quite as much of a loser as a few of the other guys throughout the night (I won’t mention any names :-) ).
I certainly felt helpless after getting called out. There was nothing I could do but accept the judgment of the umpire. At the risk of sounding sacrilegious by comparing our text for the week to my softball episode, Jesus experienced an unfair and extreme trial far beyond my caper in the batters box on Tuesday.
This Sunday, we take the journey with Jesus from Annas and Caiaphas to Pilate. This certainly is “A trial of epic proportions.” The focus of the entire service will be on the “Kingship of Jesus.” I invite you to study the text before coming, found in John 18:28-40. If you are interested there is a great timeline and map of the events of the week here.
I also remind you that if you have not been able to join in a small group, now is a great time to check one out. Our downtown small group will be serving dinner over at the Ronald McDonald house. If you are interested in joining in you can contact Trent. I hope you have a super-duper weekend!
posted by Admin at
5:02 PM
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