Your Defining Moment

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Submitted April 12, 2012

Christians around the world are ending the observance of the Days of Unleavened Bread tomorrow. For the many who observe this festival of God's deliverance of mankind from the slavery of sin it is a most refreshing and meaningful experience.

For seven days God instructs us to refrain from eating our normal leavened bread that is puffy and soft and eat only the flat and firmer bread that has no yeast or baking soda (Exodus 13:6-10 [6] Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
[7] Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
[8] And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
[9] And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
[10] Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

See All...). It is an object lesson in putting out sin, overcoming the world, and relying on the perfect life of Jesus Christ to live within us (Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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I am on the road today, traveling to be with a congregation of the United Church of God tomorrow on this last holy day. There is a thought I have had this year in reflecting on the meaning of their festival and the Passover observance that began theseason. It is how this spring festival marks a defining moment for any who begin this journey with God toward his kingdom. There is no turning back when we take the symbols of the bread and wine in the Passover service. Christ's death in fulfillment of the Passover sacrifice is once for all and is a lifetime experience that never ends for us. 

Many wanted to follow Christ when He walked this earth as a man. But the cares of life and other commitments kept them from throwing in completely with His mission and journey. Excuses were many and easy to find. He finally said to some who thought they had the "right stuff" that "no one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:57-62 [57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
[58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
[59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
[60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
[61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
[62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

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To make the life changing decision to follow Christ means a sacrifice must be made on our part. It literally becomes a defining moment–a moment that defines the rest of your life. There is no turning back. Your hand is on the plow and your must go forward.

Have you made that decision? Have you counted the cost? The Days of Unleavened Bread gives us seven days of contemplation to consider the greatest journey of our life, the journey to the kingdom of God.