With the completion of the U.S. Open, I’m reminded of the poignant events of this past Masters Golf Tournament. Golf enthusiasts all over the world watched on Friday afternoon of Master’s week as Arnold “The King” Palmer teed it up for his final competitive round of golf in the great Green Jacket classic. He will likely be around for future events, but at age seventy-two, he said he could not compete any longer.

    So thousands from “Arnie’s Army” lined the fairway, circled the greens, and sat glued to their television sets on Friday (and Saturday morning to finish the rain-delayed round) paying tribute to this man who, for almost fifty years has epitimized the game of golf and helped bring it to public prominence. Because of his playing style and personality, Palmer is credited with helping to make golf the tremendoulsly popular sport it is today. But, those days are coming to an end. As far as the Masters is concerned, the King will not return.

    It is hard to imagine not seeing Arnold Palmer walking up the eighteenth fairway at Augusta. It is sad to even think about the passing of time and the fading of legend. It is difficult to grasp that “the King of golf” is not coming back to the rolling fairways, the manicured greens, and the blossoming dogwoods and azaleis of Augusta. Thanks, Arnie, for the memories.

What if the King of kings and Lord of lords were not coming back?

    There is something, however, that would bring far greater sadness even to the most diehard golf fanatic. What if the King of kings and Lord of lords were not coming back? The disciples surely felt that anguish when Jesus died on the cross. “This man we thought would be king is now dead.” Just the thought of his not returning would have been enough to send them reeling with disappointment and despair.

    The King, however, did come back just as he promised. Jesus had told them “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (see John 14) Did you get that statement: “I will come back and take you to be with me.” These last words of the Lord that are even recorded in the last book of the New Testament to affirm the promise: “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:20 NIV)

    Golfers will be sad next spring when Arnie is not there to tee it up at the Masters. An era has passed. Something golden is gone. The game will have changed.

    Christians have no reason for such sadness. Our King is coming back. Our King is alive. Our King has survived death. Our King is the real champion. Our King is Jesus, and He is coming back in the clouds!

    Praise and glory to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has no rival, who has conquered death, and who will bring us home!

© 2002, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!

Title: "The King Will Not Return"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: June 18, 2002

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