Pastor’s Pulse

It’s a good time to be a Baylor Bear.  Or as we alumni say, Sic ‘em Bears!  My alma mater, Baylor University, has a long and rich history and I’m proud to be associated with that legacy.  As the oldest university in the state of Texas (chartered in 1845), the world’s largest Baptist university has had a very meaningful and successful influence both in Baptist life and higher education. And now, surprisingly enough in the last year, BU has caught the attention of the national stage in the success of its athletic program.  Yes, it’s a great time to be a Baylor Bear.

I’m sure that’s the same kind of feeling the 12 men following Jesus had too.  I’m convinced that when seeing the success of Jesus’ ministry the disciples felt good about their association with Jesus and their work for him.  Watching crippled people walk, blind people see, deaf people hear and dead people rise had to be an amazing and exhilarating journey for them.  Can you imagine the buzz surrounding Christ as he entered a town, approached people or when he spoke? The news reports had to be fun to read: “New Phenomenon Ministers in Jerusalem.” “Messiah Claims Surround Jesus.”  “Preacher from Nazareth Raises Hope.”   Yes, it was a great time to follow Jesus.  Until he made the following announcement: “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44).  How do you think the disciples felt then?  The very next verse answers that question, but does it answer another question for us?  Do we depend on whether it’s a good time or bad time to follow Jesus?  In others words, is being a true disciple based on convenience or determined by public circumstances? 

Currently we are living in the season the Christian church calls Lent.  It’s a sacred time, calling each of us to prepare our lives for the events leading up to Jesus death on the cross and his resurrection on Easter.   It’s time to reflect upon the submission Jesus offered.  It’s time to process the steps he took towards the Upper Room and the Mount of Olives.  It’s time to acknowledge the surrender Christ made at the court of Pilate and the hands of the Jewish people.  And it’s time to embrace the sacrifice he chose at Calvary.  So I offer this thought: when is it not a great time to follow Christ?

Jesus also says these words in Luke’s gospel: “If anyone would come after me, let me deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Before he tells his disciples sobering news, he gives them sacred news of where we are to begin in being a disciple of Christ.  And that journey starts with a daily commitment and it’s carried out every single day we live.  It’s always a great time to live for Jesus!

Let’s join our Savoir and one another as we make our way to the empty tomb.  Let’s walk in love and let’s walk towards love.  And may the love of God renew our hearts as we celebrate the joy and hope we have in belonging to Him.  It’s a great time to be a Christ-follower.  What a great time to be your pastor and a part of HBC, too!  Blessings…

In His Love,

                                                                  Pastor Vestal