Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said, “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
John 12: 12-15 (NLT)

Millions of people have watched these past few weeks as college basketball makes its annual pilgrimage to the “One Shining Moment” of the Final Four. 

And in the midst of all the excitement of the tournament, you almost forget the remembrance of another road to an eternal shining moment looming before us.

The tug of the world tends to do that. 

Jesus was on the road, again. However, this would be His final journey of those days. 

You wonder if His friends and others gathered knew, or wanted to believe, what lay ahead. I wonder if they knew, or believed, what He was about go through to be their Savior.

He was on a journey which He would walk all alone. Palm branches and cheers would greet Him on that Palm Sunday, followed by jeers as He made His way to the cross on Good Friday. 

He would be embarrassed, spit upon, whipped, sworn at and mocked. And He would face it all alone as everyone watched.

We have often found ourselves there—traveling our own journey, filled with difficulties, disappointments, heartaches and uncertainty—all alone. Or at least it often seemed that way. 

Looking anxiously down a long and winding road stretched out before us knowing we had to travel.  Alone, not sure where we could turn for help, or if anyone could help, or would care.

And then we remember that the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. He had risen! And we are not alone. 

We are never alone. 

In the midst of all the stuff of life that overwhelms us at times, remembering we are not alone provides us with the energy to press on. The hope to punch our heads through clouds of darkness which always seem to gather. Knowing that He will always provide a way through whatever we face into the shining moments of the days before us.

That’s the message of excitement and hope which will stir in millions around the world who will gather in the next few weeks to embrace once again the promises of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, leading to the shining moment of Easter Sunday.

Enjoy the Road to the Final Four. Embrace it with those who are on that road, as we watch and enjoy the journey with them. 

But don’t forget a much more important road before us which we will travel in the next few weeks. Embrace that journey all the way to the empty tomb, where you and I will discover once again that the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty.

Christ is risen and you and I are never alone! 

The eternal shining moment for all the world.

The Risen Christ.

In His Name–Scott

As a prelude to the Final Four Championship game Monday, April 3, 2023, enjoy this video of “One Shining Moment” through the years!