THE PERFECT INNINGS

Our lives are like a test match.  Over and over again Satan the demon bowler hurls everything he can at our three stumps of body, soul and spirit to get us out.  He tries every fiendish trick, googlies, bouncers, the lot!  Often we can only play defensively but if we watch and pray like Jesus our captain taught us we can sometimes knock a short ball to the boundary or a wicked ball for six. [ Matthew 26:41, Hebrews 2:10 ]  Then all the supporters in heaven and on earth rejoice whilst Satan cringes. 

The Lord Jesus completed the world’s only perfect innings and declared at 33!   He did not duck paying the penalty our sins deserved but steadfastly set His face to go up to the place of crucifixion at Jerusalem.  Before He died He said to His father, “I have finished the work you gave me to do.”  [ John 17:4 ]  He became the only human being to die with no regrets and as He breathed His last breath He cried triumphantly with a loud voice, “It is finished!” [ Matthew 27:50 & John 19:30 ] He had knocked Satan for six and three days later He rose through the solid rock of the tomb and conquered death, our greatest enemy.

During the next 40 days Jesus was seen and handled by many faithful witnesses.  On one occasion He was seen by 500 at once!  The disciples were also able to have a meal with Him [ John 21:12 ].  Doubting Thomas, one of the disciples, said he wouldn’t believe unless he saw the nail prints in his hands but when Jesus appeared and showed His wounds Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!” [ John 20:24-29 ]

After being seen 40 days He ascended into the Pavilion of heaven on what we now call Ascension Day [May 1st 2008] but one day He will return to earth.