Judge’s All-Star bat this year featured a Bible verse — part of a longstanding public witness to his Christian faith.
Aaron Judge, right fielder and team captain for the New York Yankees, is one of the main faces of Major League Baseball. The reigning American League MVP, he continues to post some of the best numbers in the league. He’s currently hitting .342, with 37 home runs and 85 RBIs. Judge has remained consistently dominant on the field. He also consistently talks about his relationship with Christ and continues to be vocally humble about his faith. The July 11-15 MLB All-Star Week this year was no exception.
In a large media interview leading up to the All-Star game, Judge was asked about his tendency to be outspoken about his faith. The interviewer asked how he would respond to the claim that being famous and having money can satisfy you in life.
Judge responded by saying that Jesus had given him a platform and a voice to speak. He said it’s fulfilling to have this ability and play this game — but not as fulfilling as having a relationship with Christ. His advice to people who are looking for more is, “Build a relationship with him and that’ll solve all your problems.”
These words might sound naive or out-of-touch. Some might conclude that this mega-millionaire couldn’t possibly understand the trials of life that come with financial or life-threatening medical challenges. However, those who have fully committed their lives to Jesus know that his words are rooted in divine revelation and the words of Christ.
Jesus says that he has come that we will have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). We also know that following him makes life’s burdens easy and light with him at our side (Matthew 11:28-30). And Jesus notes at the Last Supper that the peace that he gives us is not the peace of this world (John 14:27).
Solving one’s problems doesn’t mean life becomes free of hardship. It means that we know that having God as our highest priority enables us to go through life in a way that places our issues in perspective. Since Jesus conquered the grave, he can conquer any obstacles we face. With him at our side we can transcend all of our problems.
Judge also highlighted the design on his bat for the game. On social media he posted a picture that clearly showed a Bible verse. He chose, “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“It’s one of my favorite Bible verses,” he said in an interview with the Daily Citizen. “I try to live my life by it, and always trust the Man above and what he’s got in store for us. We never know what’s around the corner, but if we have faith in him, he will lead us in the right direction.”
In Judge’s words before the game and in the Bible verse on his bat, he shows the world that nothing is more important than one’s relationship with God. He also reminds us that when we place that as our highest goal, there is nothing in life that can shake our trust in God.
So, no matter what challenges you currently face, pray with the Bible passages that are closest to the heart of one of baseball’s greatest players. We do so not because a baseball player shared them but because Jesus invites us to grow deeper with him each and every day. This appears to be the main purpose for Judge’s outspoken faith — and it ought to be the highest goal of our lives as well.