Wasted Moments

Wasted moments, I guess we have all had them. That is a moment we have to do what is right and for some reason we choose not to. Jonah had a moment like that when the Lord told him to go to Nineveh and read what he does.

Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah doesn't do what the Lord asked him to do but instead flees from the presence of the LORD; we all know what happens to him; he finds himself in the belly of a great fish.

Jonah 1:17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Three days and three nights, that's a long time when you could have made another decision; like go to Nineveh and not run in another direction. Then there was the prodigal son who left the comforts of home with all the answers only to find himself in a hog pen. Then there was Peter who told the Lord that he would never be offended.

Matthew 26:33
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
We all know what happened.

Matthew 26:69
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou als wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Matthew 26:70
But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Matthew 26:71
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Matthew 26:72
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Matthew 26:73
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Matthew 26:74
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Last I want you to see that in the cases above all three men returned and overcame their wasted moments; but in Judas' case it cost him his soul. It's a sad verse, read it and see. John 13:2
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Then Jesus began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with a towel. In this we see a great love as Jesus washed Judas' feet that night knowing that in just a few hours he would betray Him with a kiss. I wonder how Judas responded. Wonder how Judas felt as Jesus looked him in the eye, yet Jesus wanted Judas to change his mind and Judas could have very well changed it. But then comes the final blow in Judas life when the wasted moment became a final decision as we come to the close of John 13 we read

John 13:27
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

John 13:30
He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Too late now Judas; in a little while those thirty pieces of silver will not feel right, matter of fact he will give them back. Judas sold his soul for what? He is still wishing he could live that all over again and I assure you, he would make the right decision this time. So what did I learn? I learned that I could ask for forgiveness and the Lord would forgive but if I refuse and go on there will come a day like Judas, I wish I could rewind but that will be impossible. I am so glad someone took the time out of their busy day to tell me what the Lord had done for me and I didn't waste that moment. So today don't waste the opportunity to tell someone what the Lord has done for you. Have a blessed day!