the basic message # E118
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin, But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
I noticed an article in the newspaper recently that caught my eye: “Mother allegedly attacked at ballpark” “The mother of a boy who scored the winning run in a baseball game was knocked unconscious by angry parents from the losing team, police said. After her 15-year-old son’s run in the youth league game, two women allegedly poked Cindy Morrison with an umbrella, hit her with a baby stroller and punched her in the face.”
Apparently the “it’s not whether you win or lose, but rather how you play the game” line from years ago has become outdated. I live in an area where youth baseball is a big deal. I think that if the parents would be honest, good sportsmanship is much lower on the list than winning. When I was a kid growing up, there were organized sports and teams, but the most fun was a spontaneous game after school. Kids playing with kids is true recreation. Get an adult involved and the whole thing spirals downward in a hurry. Gee, that’s a nice segue for the next scripture:
Matthew 18:3-4
And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Our church held Youth Sunday today, and the kids did the entire worship service. As part of the program, the kids went to the podium and briefly described their relationship with God. Several children broke down and wept during their testimony. The passage above instantly came into my mind as they continued. I wonder how many of us “wise adults” can get up and reveal our hearts. How many of us macho men can weep before a crowd of people while we talk about our God? Let’s face it, we have created a dysfunctional society that is literally on the skids.
So what can we do, you might ask. How about this: Be a role model. What? Be a role model. Many people think they are role models, and perhaps they are if they are trying to enlist our youth to someday be in prison. Examine your life, Mom and Dad. Take a good look at what you say and do, Grandma and Grandpa. What message are you sending? How do you react when a kid on your kid’s team strikes out? Are you supportive or condemning? In the newspaper story above we’re told about these nutty parents that beat-up the mother. What’s really sad is that they were probably all in church the following Sunday as if nothing happened. Christians should be setting good examples, yet we look just like the rest of this funky world. For all you Christian youth-sports junkies out there, let me issue you a challenge: The next time you’re at a game, cheer when a kid on the other team does a good job. You did say you’re a Christian didn’t you?