As a youngster, I was lectured on the importance of finishing any job that I started. It seems that young people are notably prone to getting distracted, or having attention deficit disorder, or whatever you might call a propensity for leaving a job half done. Even as adults, some of us are good starters and poor finishers, and someone else is called upon to finish the job. We have early risers who are gung-ho at daybreak, and there are late risers who take a while to get started. Also there are some jobs that take a long time to finish, and the starters are forced to retire before the work is done. Some of the cathedrals in Europe took many years to finish, and the work was continued over several generations. David began the plans for a temple in Jerusalem, but it was Solomon who finished the job. There are many such examples where starters, relievers, and finishers were involved in a project.
Certain sports such as baseball, relay races, basketball, and football use starters, relievers, and finishers. A few years ago in baseball it was generally expected that a pitcher would be on the mound for a complete game, unless he became incapacitated. The bullpen was quite meager and seldom used. Today, however, a team is considered impoverished if it does not have a full complement of at least twelve pitchers including starters, relievers, and at least one closer. Starters have demonstrated strength and stamina that will hopefully carry them through at least five to seven innings. Once in a while a starting pitcher will go the whole distance and pitch nine innings, but it is rather rare. Also a starter can burn himself out in two or three innings of play. When a starter has shot his wad, he is replaced by relief pitchers from the bullpen who are usually good for two or three innings. Then, at the end of the game, usually the last inning, the closer is sent in to save the game.
Jesus gave us the great commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every land. That commission is not yet completed. The disciples and early apostles were the starters, and they went to the ends of their world; some went to Asia Minor, some went to Europe, some went to Africa, some went to India. As far as we know they were all martyred except the disciple John. From that humble beginning, the gospel has been carried around the world by pastors, medical missionaries, evangelists, and teachers who were sent in as relievers, Today we are faced with the finishing of the task which they started and continued to the present. The score has shifted back and forth, often evil seemed to prevail; then a reformation occurred, and the truth team excelled. The game is almost over; it is the ninth inning and the good guys are ready to make the winning run. Jesus Christ, "the author and finisher of our faith" (Rev. 12:2) is standing in the dugout ready for the final pitch. He is the great "Starter, Reliever, and Closer."
