In Adam's Fall, Sinned We All

Baseball fans know who Phil Rizzuto was and how he spent his last 60 + years in baseball.  He won seven world series titles and then was the Yankees' broadcaster for over 40 years.  He died yesterday after a long and illustrious career.

When I saw these two pictures juxtaposed, it struck me how the vigor of youth inevitably gives way to the craggy face of old age and declining health, and then finally to death.  As one wag put it, "nobody gets out of here alive."

Just as Phil Rizzuto was once a seemingly indestructible young shortstop and then a tired old man in a rest home, so too (barring an early death, or Christ's second advent) each one of us will go through the same sad transformation from the vigor of youth to the reality of old-age.   Rizutto's fate is our fate . . .  But it happens so slowly that we don't often observe it--especially in ourselves.  Yet, when we look at what happens over 60 years, wow . . .

The reason for this remarkable transformation?  As the Puritans put it, "in Adam's fall, sinned we all."  Yes, ours is a fallen race.  In the aging face of Phil Rizutto we see what is common to all of Adam's fallen children--the common curse, which is death.  Paul tells us plainly in Romans 5:19, "For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners."  The reason that indestructible young shortstops become sick old men is because of Adam's fall.

That is why our only hope must be in Jesus Christ, "who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (Romans 4:25).  If Christ is not raised, we are still in our sins.  But if Christ be raised, then the effects of sin will be forever undone and we will be raised imperishable, truly indestructible!

Comments

[Johnny Helms]

Great post! "Lord, teach us to number our days and to remember You in our youth." I am 60 now and when I see my reflection in a glass door at the grocery store or in the mall I am a little stunned; I feel 35. Life truly is like a flower or blade of grass or a breath. But, "O death, where is thy sting?" Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life is my life, and like my late wife, I look forward to going home to be with the Father.

[Mark]

Thanks for the post Kim. Death stinks - Lord come quickly!

Keith A Vander Pol
January 2, 1952 - August 15, 2000

[Grasshopper]

Love it that you are a baseball fan!

8-)

[Auk]

I wonder if I'll be able to hit a baseball as well as the great ones when this broken body is in it's ressurected form?

Sort of sad to see the legends of baseball become shadows of the past and continue to pass away one by one.

Your post is another reminder of the grave effects of sin, and how great a salvation we've been given (inspite of ourselves and our heritage).

[mholst]

On Saturday I will be attending a funeral of a 19 year old former student of mine and fellow church member. Death by cancer at such a young age is one more reminder of the impact of our sin in Adam. Now, the tension is living in the "already/not yet" between when Christ conquered sin and death at his resurrection, and when that victory will be completely and finally recognized at his Second Coming.
"Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22.20).
Matt Holst

[Matt]

I have some great hi-res photo scans of 'Scooter' from his playing days, if you happen to be a fan and want som. It is amazing to see the difference after 60 years!

[Carson]

I have a friend who has been a runner for 40 years, much of which time he was quite a partier. We started attending church several years ago. He's stopped partying, ran his first marathon last October, and uses his ipod to listen to fancy radio preachers (sadly including MacArthur) while training. As I told him, one aspect of that training will reap eternal benefits.