THE BABE'S BAT AND ME

by Jim Corner

Let's get something straight from the 'get-go'; I am an unapologetic Yankee fan. I was raised in Kansas and have lived in Texas for the past 26 years but the Yankees are my team. When I was a boy Mickey Mantle was 'the man'. I am still convinced that he would be regarded as the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of shoes had it not been for a right knee injury in a high school football game and a left knee injury in a drain pipe in center field at Yankee Stadium.

Well so much for Mickey Mantle: I want to talk about a special bat. On June 13, 1948, Babe Ruth was within months of his death and he knew it. He went to Yankee Stadium for one last farewell and he was greeted by a full house who roared their love for this man. He had been using a cane but instead, on this occasion, he grabbed a baseball bat and walked out to his admiring fans. On September 18, 1999 that bat sold at auction for $107,000! How could a bat that cost only a few dollars be worth so much? The answer is simple: THE MASTER HAD TOUCHED IT! Once Babe Ruth touched the bat it became GOLD!

I can relate to that baseball bat: you see, at one time in my life I had very little value. I was a sinner and estranged from my God. Then the MASTER touched me: oh, not some ballplayer but the creator of the universe, the very son of God! When Jesus touches someone they become more valuable than gold. You see, gold will one day perish but the faithful child of God will live forever.

I want to share with you my master. He left Heaven and I apologize but I cannot describe Heaven for you. No matter how beautiful a picture I might paint, it could never capture the glory of this magnificent place. His entry into the world was most unkingly. The son of God was born in a barn to common parents. He was raised without fanfare and at the age of 30 began a 3 year ministry. During this time He taught like no one has ever taught; he healed the sick; he raised the dead; he fed the hungry and in so many other ways showed us God. We, however, did not accept Him. We betrayed Him into the hands of the enemy; we struck him in the face repeatedly; we spat in His face; we beat Him severely; we placed a crown of thorns on His head and struck him with a stick and then we laid Him on a cross and drove nails into His hands and feet and left Him on that cross for 6 hours. During that time He forgave us and agonized over the fact that His Father had forsaken Him. You see, the Bible says in II Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus was made to be sin. I can't explain that to you but I know that He bore every sin that ever had been committed and ever would be committed. As a sin offering He could have no fellowship with His Father because "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5). If this was the end of the story, we would all be lost. The truth is, however, that three days later Jesus burst forth from his tomb and conquered death once and for all. You see, my MASTER really is great!

Yes, I and the Babe's bat have something in common. We have both been touched by a master. The good news is that I have been touched by THE MASTER! The Babe's bat will one day burn up with everything else in this world but because of my faith in Jesus, glory awaits!

©2001 Buckingham Road Church of Christ