Never Miss a Moment: Palm/Masters Sunday Edition

I have been reading through Luke's account of Jesus' death and resurrection these last couple of weeks as I prepare for Easter and a couple of things struck me. Jesus knows the reason for his journey to Jerusalem. He has not forgotten the Father's will or tried to run from it. Yet while on his journey, He continues to look beyond himself and do ministry.
"and he was teaching daily in the temple." Luke 19:17

Jesus was present in every moment. Jesus uses what he knows are some of his last moments to teach the people and give them more reason to believe he is indeed the Messiah they were waiting for. 

How many moments do we miss while trying to rush to the next thing? I know I am very guilty of this. I have even been convicted lately regarding the moments I miss because I would rather hide behind my phone while waiting in line instead of risking an awkward moment. We learn from Jesus that each moment we have is to be treasured, but surrendered to the Lord to use as He chooses. I hope you will consider this week how you can treasure a moment or maybe find a moment that you normally pass on by.

The second thing that really struck me was what we have to learn from Peter. You may know the story. Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him, and Peter says no way. Surely we're not surprised here. Jesus was right.
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"Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”  But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same."
​Mark 14: 29 - 31
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Just after arresting Jesus they took him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Scripture says Peter "was following at a distance" (Luke 22:54). In Matthew 26:58, it says he was following "to see the end". Though Peter had walked with Jesus throughout his ministry, he wasn't exactly walking with Jesus now. The account of Peter's denial of Jesus has me asking a lot of questions, but the one that stands out the most is "What are you afraid of?". And as I read through the scripture I shake my head, not in disappointment of Peter, but in knowing I am no better. I have walked with Jesus since I was 14 years old, and I still find myself in "Peter moments" regularly. Peter's denial seems so obvious to me, but my moments of denial don't. It could be withholding the name of God or praise of Him when in conversation. It could be refusing to speak up for what you know is right when it is unpopular. It might even be behavior and/or language that adapts to your environment instead of being rooted in truth. All I know is it doesn't always look the same, or like Peter, but it is denial. I am thankful to be able to learn from Peter and challenged in how I go about my daily routines. I am also hopeful because through Jesus' perfect love, fear has been cast out. Fear doesn't get to rule in my life and can't rule if Jesus does. So I cling closer and closer to the risen Christ to battle the fear that seeks to destroy me. 

Friends, fear doesn't win. Be bold. Be brave. Live unashamed. Christ died for it all and lives that we might also.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5: 1-5
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Today is Palm Sunday but also Masters Sunday. History was made today as Tiger Woods won his 15th major 11 years after winning his last. The final moment was incredible. But it was all the moments before the last putt that really mattered. And throughout the entire last round, Tiger was locked in to each moment. Even when he went ahead as the solo leader, he stayed composed only worried about the next shot. Everyone wants the final moment, the large cheer and excessive celebration, but no one gets there without many moments that come before. One day we will reach Heaven and hope to hear the words, "well done my good and faithful servant", but we must not miss the moments we have now. I think they will make the finish that much sweeter. 

Stay faithful friends and as always, never stop growing.