Why do liberals condemn Israel so much? It’s kind of a wild theory considering the history of the country and all that had to happen in order for Jewish people to get a space of holy and sacred Biblical land in the Middle East.
That’s why those countries around Israel despise them and America will protect them at all cost.
And one popular baseball player – one of which is also beloved by liberals – supports Israel and the mainstream media went nuts about it.
Why can’t we have nice things?
It seems like there is always someone that’s trying to rain on the parade, doesn’t it?
As Americans, we go through these motions in life where everybody assumes your politics based on the geographical location you live or grew up in, your clothes and how you talk.
That happens, right?
Well, it is also rare to see savant athletes, or future Hall of Famers, to be outspoken about their politics, beliefs or religion against the grain.
One of those people is former relief pitcher for the New York Yankees – amongst other teams as well – who shocked everyone with his love for Israel.
The 49-year-old spoke with the Christians United for Israel conference in Washington recently – D.C. CUFI describes itself as the country’s largest pro-Israel group and consists largely of evangelical Christians.
Rivera, an ordained pastor – became involved with CUFI after meeting the group’s founder and chairman, Pastor John Hagee. Suddenly, he saw the light.
He said, “Every time that I go to Israel, it blows my mind. I wanted to see more, I wanted to understand more. I wanted to learn more. The Bible comes to life when you’re there.”
But Rivera is much deeper than that.
Rivera spoke both English and Spanish, which is common amongst baseball players in the MLB, but he did it better than most.
He added, “I think I choose that because sometimes you write words and it doesn’t sound right. But when you come from the heart, it comes right. My intention was always to speak from the heart.”
But speaking from the heart he also meant following his faith. More importantly, it was specific to his love for Israel.
He said, “The Bible speaks about Israel. Everything — from New Testament, Old Testament — it’s all about Israel and the relationship his people have,” Rivera said. “So as a Christian, I understand that the chosen people of God is Israel — Jewish Israel.”
He’s a grateful person. It really doesn’t get any more magnanimous than that.
Here’s the gravity of humility and gratefulness.
Rivera once said, “I am honored and humbled to be standing here. It is hard to believe that a dream that started when I was 10 years old (ended here). The first time I saw Roberto Clemente, all I wanted to do was play the game. What an honor to have my plaque in the Hall alongside his.”
And while he may think of Roberto Clemente as his personal professional hero in the sport of baseball, it’s clear his whole heart belongs to Christianity.