Tag: Isaiah

Baseball Players of Advent – John the Baptist the Leadoff Batter

Justin Hibbard

AdventBaseball-John

There’s a certain strategy to a baseball batting lineup. The leadoff batter is typically someone who is consistent at getting on base. They’re generally fast and can generate stolen bases. But their purpose is not to hit homeruns. Their purpose is simply to get on base and stay on base for the cleanup hitter, because the cleanup hitter is typically the power hitter who can bring them home.

This year for Advent, we are focusing on the “baseball players” in the story of Jesus’ birth. Last week, we looked at Zechariah – the Captain. This week, we’re focusing on his son John the Baptist – the leadoff hitter.

John the Baptist had a tremendous ministry. He had a notable following and his own disciples. He could have easily hogged the spotlight. But instead this prophet understood his place in God’s ministry. Even though many asked him if he was the Messiah, he knew that he was the one of which Isaiah prophesied. “A voice calls out in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord.” So when John’s younger cousin Jesus came onto the scene, he pointed to Him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I’m not worthy to even tie his sandal.” John the Baptist was like the leadoff batter. He knew what God called him to do and he did it faithfully.

In the game of baseball, one cannot talk about leadoff batters and leave out the name Rickey Henderson. This extremely fast leadoff batter made a name for himself getting on base and advancing to scoring position. His speed and prowess on the basepaths brought his team two world championships during his hall of fame career. Even though he was the twelve-time American League stolen base champion tallying a whopping 1,406 career stolen bases, his most valuable team achievement was scoring 2,295 runs. The game of baseball has many components, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is crossing home plate.

In a sense, we are all like leadoff hitters, like John the Baptist. Many of us have vibrant and intricate ministries. Many people make a name for themselves by their work in churches, books they write, and ministries they lead. However, no matter how simple or detailed, small or large our work for God’s Kingdom, the most important perspective we must have is that our ultimate goal is to point people to Jesus. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the church, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” Jesus is the power hitter. He takes our faithful efforts and makes them bear fruit.

I Saw the Lord

Justin Hibbard

In Isaiah 6, the prophet writes, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord…”

Let’s stop for a moment and focus on the first words of this chapter where Isaiah says, “I saw the Lord.” Last week I mentioned how we often focus on the past (the problem) or the future (what the solution may look like) in our prayer life, before we let ourselves be consumed by the Person of God. In continuation of our series on Intimacy with the Lord, let’s see what we can expect from our prayer life when we begin by seeing the Lord.

“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple,” Isaiah writes. What Isaiah saw in those moments, for however long, must have been a sensory overload, too powerful and breathtaking for his pen. He quickly begins describing the angels soaring around the Throne, covering their faces, talking to each other. What are they saying? They’re saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The picture I get in my mind is like two buddies watching a sports game. They see an amazing play, and even though they both were there, they can’t stop talking about it. In a much more profound way, the magnificent holiness of God is so compelling that these angels can’t stop talking about It, even when they’re experiencing it.

Isaiah continues with the marvelous descriptions until he suddenly stops. “Woe is me!” he says, “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.”

Have you ever been to a social gathering, where you felt like you were too insignificant and didn’t belong? I imagine that if I was ever invited to a White House social event, I wouldn’t stop thinking, “How is it that I get to be here with all of these important people?” And at the same time, I’d be paralyzed with the fear that I might accidentally open the wrong door and be tackled by a dozen Secret Service Agents.

Isaiah demonstrates an important truth. When we see God, we realize our depravity in the midst of such holiness. I remember one afternoon after a prayer time, my friend asked me, “What did God reveal to you?” My answer was, “I realize how messed up I am.” Many people can relate. Maybe you walk away from church like you just took a stroll down Guilt-Trip Lane. You’re bogged down with feeling so inadequate and unable to change. If that’s how you feel, then the really Good News is what happens next.

If we miss the next part of Isaiah’s vision, then we’ve missed the entire Gospel. While Isaiah entertains thoughts about how he doesn’t belong in the presence of God, one of the seraphim, with a hot coal from the altar in hand, flies over to him. With the coal, he touches Isaiah’s mouth and says, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

This is a breathtaking moment of identity. In the story of the prodigal son, the father restores his son with a robe, a ring, and a party. Here, God does it with a burning coal. The realization of our sin leads us to guilt and depression. But God’s desire is not for us to find our identity in our fallenness; He longs for us to find our identity in the atonement that He provides. Our sin enslaves us to a lifelessness, but God gives us the gift of true living – the atoned, redeemed, and resurrected life (Romans 6:23).

Isaiah’s soul is awakened. In fact, God asks, “Whom shall I send?” and guess who responds. Yes, it’s Isaiah – the very man who felt so unclean and unworthy just moments before. Once he sees who God says he is, he anxiously raises his hand and volunteers, “Here am I Lord, send me!” Isaiah is no longer a man cowering in the shadow of his depravity. No, he has seen something. He has seen the forgiveness of the Lord. His soul has been stirred. Now we know why Paul, a man who committed horrific persecution, could see the Lord, be transformed, and say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

How did this transformation begin? It began with seeing the Lord.

We will continue learning not only what it means to enter the presence of God in our prayer life but also how to do it. In the meantime, let me encourage you to do this. As you pray today, close your eyes, and begin by verbalizing the angelic words found in Isaiah 6 – “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty the whole earth is full of his glory.” As you keep repeating those words, try to picture or sense yourself in Isaiah’s shoes, standing and worshipping before the magnificent Throne of God. You may have burning issues you long to bring to the Lord. First exalt Him, worship Him. Let this heavenly vision speak to your heart. In the process, you might find the answers you’re looking for, but chances are, you’re going to find so much more.