When a pitcher is on the mound with a runner on first, it is his responsibility to keep that runner from stealing second (or to have too much of a head start toward the other base in the event of a hit). In order to accomplish this pitchers have developed very intricate ways of deceiving the runners in order to keep them guessing as to where the ball is going to be thrown. In the issue of fairness, Major League Baseball Official Rule Paragraph 8.01 states that when a pitcher commits himself to a certain point (various moves are described specifically), he must throw home. If not, it is a balk.
Zechariah in the temple is faced with a great hope. We are told that he had been praying for a son, and given the advanced age of he and his wife, we can see traces of a great hope that lies within him in the power of Israel's god to do mighty works. And then he is told that his prayer has been answered and that this son would be great to the entire nation and in the history of humanity. This son would prepare the way for the coming of the messiah. Although Zechariah had hope, he was entirely unprepared for the fulfillment of this level of hope.
And he balked.
He had committed to throw home (i.e., he had demonstrated some hope) and was distracted by a runner on first to the point where he didn't complete the pitching motion. Although he had committed to the belief that 'god can do anything' (after all, who doesn't believe that?), his theology could not comprehend the fulfillment of that reality. In actuality, though, the fulfillment of promise frequently goes far beyond our expectations. Perhaps most of us would not have done much better.
But then do we hold on to hope or do we find eloquent theological positions and search for articulate-sounding questions?
I suppose it depends on whether or not you can throw heat.
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