Opening Day!

     Monday marks the beginning of a long, grueling 162 game journey toward October and the pinnacle of baseball’s best; the World Series.

     In this new era of baseball, conversations often arise regarding this question, “Who’s the Greatest?” Now, it’s easy to throw the names of our favorite players in the mix but we have to admit, the numbers don’t lie.

     So, here’s a list of baseball greats who have convincingly rose to the top garnering their place in the Hall of Fame through outstanding careers: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Cy Young.

     But there are two men whose names may never be honored in the halls of Cooperstown though the numbers don’t lie; Pete Rose and Barry Bonds. Why? My only suggestion is that somewhere along the way respect and integrity for the game became a sidebar for personal achievements and compromising satisfaction.

     In Jesus’ day, the status of significance was built around one’s name, accomplishments, and possessions. So when the disciples asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” they were astonished to learn that Jesus preferred an unnamed child with no great accomplishments as the object of His illustration (Matthew 18).

     You see, to Jesus, the greatest is the one who is willing to be least, the first is the one willing to be last. The one who wants to lead must first become a slave. Even Jesus said He did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10).