The Greatest “Homerun” Hitter Of All Time

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book (John’s Gospel). And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 20:30, 21:25; KJV)

San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds is likely to break Hank Aaron’s baseball record of 755 homeruns some time during this 2007 season. (He’s at 740 at the time I’m writing this post!) No matter what you might think of Bonds and steroids and that whole cloud surrounding him and scandal, you’ll have to agree that his career has been one like no other. And when the books are written about Bonds and his homerun hitting, I guess someone might try to include each and every one. Some books do that. They’ll chronicle from, let’s say, the first match of a heavyweight boxer (who’ll eventually go on to be champion) through all his fights in between and all the way to the very last one and knockout and punch. Some books do that. But then there are many other books that only go so far as to highlight the key or larger than life moments. In Barry Bonds homerun hitting career these moments include: the year he hit 73 and broke Mark McGuire’s 70 homeruns record; when Bonds hit homerun #661 and passed his godfather, Wille Mays’, homerun record; and when Bonds hit #715 and passed the immortal, Babe Ruth.

I bring this all up to talk about, and in a different light, what John, the beloved disciple of our Lord long ago, is emphasizing about Him in the above verses in his Gospel. And let me just cut to the chase. Jesus did many more works, wonders and miracles, and said many more things, than are recorded in the Scriptures. Did you know that? Maybe you’ve never thought about it or considered it. John himself only highlights eight “signs” (deeds which symbolize spiritual truths). Can you name them? See if you’re right: (1) the water turned to wine at the wedding at Cana; (2) the healing of the nobleman’s son with a word; (3) the healing of the man paralyzed for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda; (4) the feeding of the five thousand; (5) the walking on water; (6) the healing of the man born blind; (7) the raising of Lazarus from the dead; (8) the catch of fishes after the resurrection. And John records these “signs” for a purpose: “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (Jn. 20:31; KJV) And yet Jesus did much more than just these “8” that John mentions. And I guess the real bottom line of it all: When Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron’s record, is he really the greatest “homerun” hitter of all time? Only in baseball. There’s Someone else who holds the record in things that count.