Baseball is a funny game. A batter is considered pretty good if he is unsuccessful 70 percent of the time. What else in life is like that? We went to a game recently where a player didn’t get a hit the first four times up—in fact, when he was batting there were runners on base that got stranded there when he struck out—never even hit a foul ball. But in the last inning, he got a hit that drove in the winning run—what’s called a “walk off” hit, because the team walks off the field with a win. Four times he failed. Once he was successful, and it won the game. The rest of the team mobbed him with their congratulations for his “walk off”!
Did the other players on the team look down on him because he failed the first four times? No. In fact they patted him on the back and showed him that they had faith in him. It’s not just when someone does well that we support them. It’s also when they don’t do well. Baseball teaches us that, and so does the Christian faith.
The passage from Hebrews 10 reminds us of this. Just as in baseball, we are all on the same team. We are all people for whom Jesus gave his life, and we are all made clean by what Jesus has done for us. Hebrews 10:24-25 says “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . . .”. When we’re struggling, we should encourage one another, and of course should celebrate when the non-baseball version of a “walk off” happens.
Jesus’ baptism, and his giving of his life for us, connects up with our baptism, celebrating that we are indeed washed clean, we are indeed forgiven of our sin, we are indeed connected with one another in the family of God and the life of the church. It is in this connection, this being on the same team, that we can “provoke one another” in good ways.
We will celebrate FIVE baptisms this Sunday, and affirm the addition of these five, plus their families, to the team. Part of the pledge we make as a congregation is to be a supportive, encouraging group of fellow travelers, and part of what a celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is about is indeed that, celebration.
A mark of who we are as a follower of Jesus is to “Always Encourage and Celebrate”.
NEW TESTAMENT Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
GOSPEL John 20:19-22, 26-29
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’