I came across a great website with ministry tools, here is a cool tract I found on a website: www.atstracts.org
One of the greatest stories in American history is the day Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers stood as one in a baseball game that would begin a cultural transformation. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black American to penetrate the color barrier in major league baseball. Decades of prejudice and discrimination had created a climate that would make racial integration a painful experience and seemingly impossible.
The game called "America's pastime" should have been inclusive for all Americans, but it was far from it. The crowds would boo and jeer each time Jackie Robinson was introduced in the lineup. On May 14, 1947, the Dodgers played the Reds at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Jackie was booed so loudly that the game could not continue. The rancor and rejection were deafening. How could anyone change this infamous blight upon our culture? Pee Wee Reese, a popular white Southern shortstop, left his position and walked to Jackie Robinson and simply put his hand on Jackie's shoulder and stood courageously as if to say, "If you are going to boo Jackie, you must boo me, also. If you are going to reject him, you must reject me." In essence, he took on all of Jackie's public rejection in one act and gave Jackie all of his public favor in the same act.
Those present reported the noise of disapproval began to fade. Within moments the silence was as deafening as the previous noise.
Although the barrier was broken, prejudice still exists in some areas of sports. Yet that was the day baseball began to change. And everyone has benefited from that "one-act" play on the diamond of America's national pastime.
As great as that act was, an even greater act took place when God's Son, Jesus Christ, broke the sin barrier on our behalf. Sin had infected us with prejudice, hatred, selfishness, anger, immorality and greed. We were doomed to rejection. Jesus willfully walked to our side and stood beside us. Our accuser, Satan, and the minions of hell were booing, jeering and threatening our existence. We stood helpless, unable to change our sinful nature. Jesus placed His arm around us and stood triumphantly. The sin barrier came crashing down and the heavenly cheer began. Now, great rejoicing occurs over every single person who confesses Jesus is the Christ (Luke 15:7). Heaven's hallways are filled with the cheers of affirmation from that moment forward.
God created Jackie Robinson, but sadly many Americans tried to connect his worth and worthiness to the color of his skin. Baseball was forever changed in one act, on one day, by one man, in one game. Life and human destiny were forever changed by one act, by one Man, on one day, on one cross.
Jesus became our Mediator and changed our helpless state to a heavenly one by breaking the barrier of sin in our lives. He stands next to us the moment we believe. "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).
Written by Don Spradling. Reprinted from Pentecostal Evangel, March 9, 2003.
