Beatitudes

JohnBaker | 3:45 PM |

Having gone to Iraq and seen real heroes, I have been inspired to re-evaluate how I feel about myself. The other day our team held a Bible study headed by Brett Carroll, Chris Coghlan and Pastor Chris Lane. We talked about a lot of different things, but mainly focused on the Sermon on the Mount. The most interesting part of the story (for me, in addition to the content) was the fact that Jesus was not preaching to the multitudes, but to his disciples after he saw all the masses near the hill. Jesus spoke to his close knit group of companions, and in this case let them spread the word. I found this interesting because in my line of work, people are constantly promoting themselves, so much so, that they start to believe all of their own self created hype. We, as baseball players, take ourselves much, much too seriously! We chase a little white ball around a field. We are not rescuing people in Haiti, fighting a war, or even teaching kids how to count. All of those jobs are much more worthy of the millions of dollars baseball players make. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and I'm incredibly to grateful to have played one day of Major League Baseball. I also don't want anyone to think that I think baseball players are over paid, the game of baseball makes a lot of money. No players, no games, no revenue. Dan Uggla earns what he is paid.

My point is that society has it backwards. I understand that the success of a particular home baseball team can bring joy to a particular group of people or a city (see Boston in 2004). However, Jesus had it right, heroes by society's pop culture standards are not heroes in reality. I got this from icasualties.

"The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward, 19, of Redmond, Wash., died Feb. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C."

Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward, 19, died for me and you. He is my hero.

As Jesus said:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 responses to "Beatitudes"

  1. It seems you understand one of the key elements of the story: man is bent on glorifying himself. The question that must follow is, after you've realized this, what's next? Rather, here's a better question: what authority do Jesus' words have in your life? Was he simply a wise man? Or maybe a good and noble prophet? Or was he who he said he was: the Son of God, the sin-bearer who took the wrath intended for man upon himself on the cross? Because if he was who he said he was, then his words ought to be more than just a good lesson. His words ought to be the very source for truth by which you live and die by. What I'm saying is, it should lead you to faith in Christ and repentance if you truly believe he was all that he claimed to be. I don't know where you stand on that matter, but I pray you choose rightly. I'm sure Chris can help you if you need any help with this, but I'd be more than willing to be of assistance as well. I'm proud of you.

  2. WOW, that was AWESOME!!! PRAISE GOD, HOPE U CHOOSE TO SERVE HIM EVERY DAY, like I heard Brett and Chris do!!! GOD BLESS U, HE'S THE ONLY ANSWER!!!

    P.S. I'm a huge marlins fan, hope u return soon!!! :)

  3. John the people in the military, and the first responders, and the rest of the hard working Americans enjoy and get lost in a game of baseball. It takes there mind off of their normal lives. Baseball is an out let for them. What you do provides a multitude of gifts. Always be humble and put on a good show for the people who need it.

  4. "No players, no games, no revenue."

    Hey, you forgot one: No FANS, no revenue, no big league pay check!

    You are so incredibly arrogant. In a post about the Beatitudes surrounded by posts about war hero's you find a way to state your opinion that pro-athletes are not over paid. WTF!

    I just stumbled on your web site and wish I had'nt!

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