Without question, Roberto Clemente was the greatest and most loved hero in Pittsburgh sports history. He was the heart and soul of a Pirate team that won the World Series and the love of an adoring city. Roberto was born to play baseball. Rarely has the combination of power, speed, and a deadly accurate arm come together in one athlete. While his exploits on the field were legendary, his character away from the diamond made fans and players alike fiercely loyal and deeply devoted. He genuinely loved the game and the countless fans who watched him routinely do the spectacular. It was because of this love, that Roberto made the tragic "Mission of Mercy." Even though he was afraid of flying, he knew he couldn't sit idly by and let the earthquake victims of Nicaragua suffer. On New Year's Eve 1972, his plane that was overburdened with two tons of supplies, crashed after take-off into the Atlantic Ocean. There were no survivors.
This 38 year old man left behind a grieving family and a shocked and disbelieving city. Even now over twenty years later, as the All-Star game is played in Pittsburgh, the life of Roberto Clemente is remembered. Countless boys and girls fight over who will wear number 21. Older and grayer boys still speak of their hero with respect and a longing for the days when Roberto ruled the right side of Forbes Field.
As great as Roberto was, there was one greater than him. This man was the preeminent figure of all recorded history. He not only changed the course of human events, he divided time by his very birth. He left his father and the splendor of a celestial home to share the plight of common man. His father sent him on a crucial and important "Mission of Mercy" not for earthquake relief but for (sin/heart) relief. He came to free the people of the world from the sting of death. This 33 year old man spent his days healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the downtrodden. Although his motives and intentions were above reproach, he was not favorably received. He was misunderstood and many people even sought to kill him. Unfortunately these people succeeded and murdered this innocent man of love. Even at the time of his death, he forgave his executioners. In a grave for 3 days, he miraculously rose from the dead and joined his father in their far away home. Today he promises all who will accept him that someday they will join him in Paradise. This man's name is Jesus Christ and if you turn your life over to him your future will be heavenly...guaranteed.
The question you may ask yourself is this, "Which mission touches my life the most?" We remember the sacrifice of a Roberto Clemente. But can that knowledge save you from your sins and Eternal Death? No, only the mission of Christ has any affect on your situation. Will you see Him for who He really is? He is the only one who can save you and give you what you need the most--Eternal Life.
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- Believe that this act of mercy was acted out for you personally. Jesus loves you this much that He suffered for you. John 3:16.
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- Acknowledge that you have done wrong. We have all acted in ways that separate us from God. Ask God to forgive you for these wrong actions. Romans 3:23.
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- Set your heart to live in His love and mercy everyday. Spend time in the Bible in order to know the greatness of His mercy. Ephesians 2:4,5.
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- Expect to experience eternal life through Jesus Christ and His act of mercy on the cross. Colossians 1:21,22.
