Saturday, September 14, 2019

Defining Moment

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life
Matthew 27:32-56
(Use the link below to read the verses.)

 
Do you remember where you were when you first heard the news about 9/11? It was eighteen years ago this week when two passenger planes started it all by flying into the Twin Towers in New York City killing 2606 people, not including the terrorist.
 
 
9/11 was a defining moment in American history, if not world history.

 

Following Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, events moved at hyper speed. Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin to be mocked and judged; Peter, afraid for his life, swore he didn’t know him; Judas, wracked by guilt and shame, hung himself; Jesus, in a mockery of justice, was condemned before Pilot; and finally, crucified.

 

He could have stopped the whole process at any time, but he chose not to, because this was his mission in life. Being crucified was his horrific milestone to reach. But it wasn’t just a milestone; it was a defining moment in history.

 

It was when he called out to his loving Father in agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”! And then, with his dying breath, “It is finished”.
 
It was when a hardened Roman officer said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” While religious leaders mocked Jesus by saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!”

It was when the curtain of the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. And when “the earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open”.

It was when the men on either side of him were defined as criminals; but Jesus was defined as the Son of God.

 

In the book, The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11, Garett M. Graff tells the stories of people who survived 9/11 because of a “lucky” decision they made. One such man lived because he went back to his hotel room to change his tie, while the rest of his co-workers went up into the north tower. It was a defining moment.

 

We all have defining moments. What are yours? Here is the chorus of the song titled, “Defining Moment”, that gives a great answer to this question.

 

When you believe He's all you need…
that will be your defining moment.
As you live your life walking in His light,
trusting Him completely…
that will be your defining moment.         by New Song

 

May this be your defining moment… and mine.

 
 


(The link below is for the song “Defining Moment”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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