The Divine Sport

~ Does God Favor One Sport? ~

Tennis?  ~  I once met a fellow who believed God’s favorite sport was tennis—his reasoning was that Moses served in Pharaoh’s court. 

Baseball?  ~  A much better argument could be made for baseball being the divine sport of favor.  There are at least five reasons.

1. The principle of first mention is typically important in studying Scripture—and some would argue that baseball is mentioned in the very first verse of the Bible, where we read, “In the big inning…”
2. Still in the first book of the Bible we read God instructing Noah in the following way, “Make an ark of gopher wood with rooms in the ark—pitch it inside and pitch it outside” (Genesis 6:14). 
3. In the book of Job we read a concern that “There is no umpire” (Job 9:33 nasb).
4. Near the end of the Bible we read that the New Jerusalem is laid out in the same shape as a baseball diamond (equal distances between bases), “The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide” (Revelation 21:16).
5. Finally, there is Scriptural numerology.  The one number which the vast majority of theologians agree on is the number seven—as a number of completeness.  In baseball each batter is allowed four balls or three strikes to complete their time at bat. 

Thank you Pastor Raoul Robles for contributing some of the concepts presented.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

A Leper’s Firsts

~ The Leper of Mark 1 ~

Realization (the leper’s acknowledges his need)  ~  “Now a leper came to Him [Jesus]” (1:40a). 

                           

Response (the leper came by faith)  ~  “Imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean’” (1:40b). 

Note that the leper did not question His ability to heal!  Perhaps, this is related to what we read earlier in the chapter:  “At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him” (32-34).

       

Response (the compassion of Jesus Christ)  ~  “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’  As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed” (40-41).  It is an interesting side note that in the Bible the word compassion is only used of Christ and of Christians. 

Result (the Leper experiences some firsts)  ~  “As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed” (42).  This was not only the first time the leper had healing but also in all likelihood the first time the leper ever experienced the touch of another person.  It would have been a violation of both social and medical protocol for anyone to come close to the leper—let alone touch the leper. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ in the Song of Solomon

~ Jesus Christ Is the Perfect Lover ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the Song of Solomon Jesus Christ is seen as the perfect lover—the lover’s dream, and the Bridegroom.  He is also seen as the King of Peace.

The Song of Solomon (a.k.a. Song of Songs) has throughout history been the topic of much debate in theological circles.  The traditional view is that the book symbolizes the relationship between the Lord and His chosen people Israel OR the relationship between Jesus Christ and His bride—the true universal church.  Relatively recently some have viewed the book without symbolism taking it at face value as a description of human love.

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17).  My conviction is that the Song of Solomon presents a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ with His Church.

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).