Baseball, Jesus & Resurrected Lives (April 2019)

Major League baseball is about to start its’ long journey of 162 games. In the hopes that fans will reach deep into their wallets one more time, hot dogs, soda, beer, soft pretzels, popcorn, peanuts and an assortment of snacks will be walked up and down the aisles of each game.

I have many memories sitting in the old baseball stadium in Philadelphia. My clothes would stick to the seat on some of those hot, humid nights. Fans would wear the jersey of their favorite player everywhere you looked. Their own last name may have been Smith, but the name on the back of the jersey was of a player on the field.

Just last week the ongoing saga of the free agent Bryce Harper, formerly of the Washington Nationals, came to an end. On February 28, 2019 he signed a thirteen year contract for crazy amounts of money. The city of Philadelphia went nuts, and before the ink could even dry on his contract there was a demand for Philadelphia Phillies’ jerseys with Bryce Harper’s name on the back.

Fans began to line up at sporting goods stores. Online sales went bonkers, and within a twenty-four hour period the Harper jersey became the highest selling jersey ever. The demand of this jersey was so great that it caused a shortage of R’s. Prices varied from one to two- hundred dollars for a replica jersey, to an authentic jersey of two hundred and seventy-three dollars. At the time of this writing two hundred and twenty thousand tickets have been sold in the last four days. I believe it’s safe to say that Bryce Harper’s following on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook has exponentially increased as well.

Easter approaches and prior to the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus says, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) In other words, your identity is not found in the simplicity of a player’s name on a piece of clothing; but your identity is found in the life you live which then identifies whom you follow. Picking up one’s cross in Roman days meant that one would literally carry their own cross to their death. That is exactly what Jesus did.

For us today, “taking up our cross daily” may not necessarily lead to death, but it will take us into some uncomfortable places. We will encounter awkward moments as we make choices that look foolish to those around us. “Taking up our cross” involves pushing aside our very own wants, desires, and sinful temptations for the sake of God’s Kingdom and His purposes. A life of sacrifice leads to serving God with resurrected lives which then answers the question- who do I follow?

“Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.” (Romans 6:5)

In Jesus,

Pastor Rich Edwards

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!