Yogi Berra, 1925-2014
Christ in Me, the Hope of Something New!
Part 1 – Luke 17:20, 21
Baseball great Yogi Berra died on September 22 of this year. He played for the New York Yankees for 19 years and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Yogi was a beloved husband, father, and friend to many. He will be missed.
Berra was famous for his “Yogi-ism” responses in interviews; “Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical,” “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours,” and “He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.” Humble, wise, and, in the words of his manager, “quick as a cat!” When he answered questions, reporters recorded every word – not always logical, but always lovable.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a non-sequitur is “a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said.”(1) The Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would arrive and Jesus replied with an apparent “non sequitur.”
Pharisees. “When will the Kingdom of God arrive?” (time)
Jesus. “. . . Behold, the Kingdom of God is within . . .” (location) (2)
The Pharisees asked the question of timing and Jesus answered with the location. The Kingdom of God lives inside those who follow the King! Jesus doesn’t live in a man-made temple, cathedral, or church building.(3) No matter how breathtaking the architecture, no matter how massive the building, no man-made structure can hold the Eternal King of glory. People’s hearts, however, make a fitting home for Jesus.(4) The apostle Paul even says that, rather than living in buildings made with human hands, our hearts are now His home and our bodies are His living temple!(5)
The Greek word for “within” (entós) literally means “inside.”(6) The Kingdom of God already lives inside Jesus’ followers! It is present where and when the King is present. If Jesus is our King, then His Kingdom lives within us. How’s that for a “value added” life?
With the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly loving God living inside us, we can be assured of His steadfast love and mercy. His presence in our hearts brings the promise of transformation and something new!
Yogi was fond of saying, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Since the Kingdom of God is within you, your struggles are not over, but your ultimate victory is certain. Christ in us, “the hope of glory,” – the hope of something new.(7) These are words with plenty of hope to live by.
He’s still working in me . . .
Pastor Steve
1.Merriam-Webster Dictionary, http://www.Merriam-Webster.com
2. Luke 17:21, New King James Version
3. Acts 17:24
4. Ephesians 3:17
5. I Cor. 3:16, E.S.V.
6. (See Matthew 23:25 for entós as “inside”)
7. Colossians 1:27, English Standard Version
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