Tug McGraw--primarily known today as the late father of country singer Tim McGraw--was a renown, and colorful, relief pitcher for the New York Mets from 1965 to 1974. During one difficult outing, his equally colorful manager, legendary Casey Stengel, came to remove him from the game. McGraw begged Casey to leave him in for just one more batter, saying, "I know I can get this next guy out, I've already gotten him out twice." To which Casey replied, "Yeah, but it was earlier in this very inning."

Which leads me to recall another meeting on a mound centuries ago (Luke 9:18-62)...

It was six months prior to the cross. Jesus and his apostles were north of Jerusalem, in proximity to the coastal city of Caesarea Philippi, far removed from the urban centers of opposition. The week before had started with promise, when the Apostle Peter answered Jesus' question--"Who do people say I am?--by unequivocally declaring, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." Within days, however, as Jesus intensified efforts to prepare the twelve for his death, Peter unwittingly cast an old stumbling block before Jesus, assuring him, "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" By week's end Jesus' spirit was struggling in anticipation of his Passion.

Accompanied by Peter, James, and John, Jesus ascended a mountain to pray. Day turned into night; exhaustion overcame the three apostles; yet, still, Jesus prayed. As he prayed, two familiar figures from Israel's storied past--Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets--joined Jesus on the mound.

The three heroes of faith, brilliantly transfigured "in glorious splendor" against the canopy of darkness, talked amongst themselves.

All of which reminds me of a summer afternoon, half a lifetime ago, at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. I was walking an empty concourse near the Press Box when I came across two elderly gentlemen, followed by their wives and engaged in quiet conversation. As we passed in the hall, I recognized them as baseball pioneers Casey Stengel and Babe Herman.

I remember thinking to myself, "What do my baseball heroes talk about amongst themselves?"

While I can't tell you what was on the minds of Misters Stengel and Herman, we're not left to wonder of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah's conversation. "They spoke about Jesus' departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem."

The words Moses and Elijah spoke to encourage Jesus on the mound proved effective. Any timidity was transformed into tenacity, any fear into faith; and from that moment, "...as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."

A meeting on the mound can change the direction of the game.


What comes up for you when you consider the possibility that Jesus struggled within as he contemplated his Passion?

How was this struggle essential to equip Jesus to become our merciful and faithful high priest? (Hebrews 2:14-18).

Explain how Moses and Elijah, though certainly empathetic to his fears, might not have been entirely objective in their conversation with Jesus.

If you find yourself in trouble, who would you summon to meet you on the mound? What might they say to you this very day?