Being in a Great Moment

I wonder...

Do you think that the people who were at Kitty Hawke beach the day the Wright brothers walked on it to fly the first airplane knew what kind of day it would be?

Or what about the crowds that heard JFK's inaugural address?

Or the men and women who sat in a room and helped any president decide to run for office?

In the midst of a great moment, do we understand that it is a great moment?

If the moment is framed and set for us - perhaps we do know. But if the moment appears to be like any other day - like an experience we have had for decades - how do we know that it will one day be viewed as a great moment?

As the disciples were in the upper room, sharing the Passover meal, Jesus introduced Communion to them for the first time. This was a sacred and holy moment - which was followed by bickering and confusion.

Jesus knew the time he had was quickly closing and he desperately wanted to prepare his followers for the long hours ahead, but they were unaware.

At the conclusion of the supper, the disciples began to argue who was the greatest - most important amongst the band of brothers. Jesus explained to them that following him meant that the greatest should be the least; that as a follower of Jesus we are supposed to lead by serving:

Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus tried to share with them that their bickering was useless and that they had everything they needed in their relationship with God through him.

But as we often are in the midst of great moments, the disciples were clueless. They continued to be blinded to the lesson Jesus was trying to share.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

³⁶ He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ³⁷ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’^[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

³⁸ The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

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In the coming hours the lesson would begin to become evident.  But in the moment, the disciples could only see their human needs. Jesus was trying to share with them the strength and the fortitude the coming days would demand, but the disciples could not fathom what would come.

Jesus told the disciples that day 2000 years ago there would be trouble, and we are reminded today that the road of Christian discipleship is not always an easy one. The path requires a servant's heart willing to walk a different road that most others in the world. The path will lead to ridicule and bullying by the world around you. The path can be hard and difficult.

But the path also is walked with us. The path we follow as Christians is shared by a walking partner: Jesus.

Just as Jesus was telling his disciples all those long nights ago that he would be with them, he tells us the same.

And with each step on the path of faith we walk with Jesus, we are in the midst of a great moment  - because he is there.

Scripture

Luke 22:7-53

Quote of the Day

 “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

Oprah Winfrey

Question of the Day

If you were sitting at the table that night, how would you have reacted to Jesus' teachings?