Defining Moment
There are tons of moments in our lives that are defining moments. These are moments that change the trajectory of our lives. I can remember lots of my defining moments because I have tons of pictures to help me remember. I remember my wedding day as a defining moment for sure. I remember when my children were born. I remember an adoption day. I remember when my grandchildren were born. These defining moments are etched in my memory.
I remember when I accepted Christ and was baptized. I was in third grade. I remember when my faith became my own while I was in college. I think everyone has defining moments along the way of life. I think it would be interesting to look back at pivotal, defining decisions along the way that brought me to where I am today.
Jesus’ ministry here on earth had some defining moments. I was thinking that one of them might be when He was arrested in the garden. I think that was defining moments for others. Jesus’ defining moment was when He declared Who He was. Check this out….
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?”
“Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” (Matthew 26:62-66 NLT)
I believe Jesus knew the direction this was going. The crazy thing is this “trial” of sorts was before the religious leaders who claimed to follow God. They ignored the prophets who told of the Messiah coming to earth. The very people who were spiritual leaders missed Him because they were too busy worrying about their own image and their own power over people. It was quite the paradox that Jesus came as a humble servant Rabbi and teacher.
When Jesus declared that He was the Messiah, He knew that He would be condemned to die. He knew that the time to declare this to the world had come.
I need to be on the lookout for defining moments today. I can think back to defining moments in conversations. I think back to defining moments in decisions. I think back to defining moments where I needed to be silent. I talk to the Lord a lot about defining moments because I don’t always know what the right decision is when a defining moment decision comes my way. I believe He gives me wisdom and discernment in each decision whether it’s seemingly simple or a defining moment in my life.
Pressing On!
Dwayne