Gospel According to Yogi

Dear Friends,

Each week, we attempt to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, and ourselves: “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect …” 1 Peter 3:15. (NIV)

With this in mind, we offer a light-hearted way that you might introduce non-believers to the Jesus. You might call it “the Gospel according to Yogi.”

Baseball legend Yogi Berra passed away last month at the age of 90. He was one of baseball’s most-endearing characters, noted for his quirky sayings. His scrambled syntax, mixed metaphors, and illogical conclusions have provided laughs to millions.

What follows is our representation of how Yogi Berra might have presented the Gospel … if had he been so inclined.

Since we depend so heavily on the Bible as our authority, Yogi Berra would have cautioned, “Never answer an anonymous letter.” The Bible is not anonymous, it is authored by God as His love letter to us.

Franklin Graham commented on one of Yogi’s other words of wisdom – “’If you don’t know where you’re going you might wind up someplace else.’  This is so true—and it’s true spiritually as well.  We’d better know where we’re going to spend eternity…” To which Yogi Berra might have added, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

And Yogi would be correct. That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts … Joel 2:12a (NLT)

²⁰… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NLT)

“But isn’t it too late for us?” Will God forgive us after all we’ve done?

Yogi might say, “We made too many wrong mistakes?” The Bible covers that concern in several places: Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:3a (NLT)

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)

We all must make a decision whether to follow Jesus or not. Yogi might suggest, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” If you choose Jesus … you will find, as Yogi might have put it, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

To some, the Gospel message may seem like what Yogi Berra called “Déjà Vu all over again.” They may have heard the Gospel over and over again. To others it may be the Good News they have been desperately seeking. Whether we speak with the eloquence of a Franklin Graham, or use quirky language like Yogi Berra, we just need to spread the word, and the Word is – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 In closing, we offer one last Yogi-ism: “I didn’t really say everything I said.” – Yogi Berra

Verses for the week: Romans 10:13-15 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Blessings,
Your friends in Christ