Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ tells us what to do when we become weary. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

First, we are to remember that we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses, other believers. Many have gone before us and lived lives of faith, they can be examples to us. We can find their stories in the Bible or believers around us today who have testimonies of miracle healings, how they were delivered from addiction, or restored from the enemy’s grasp.

 Next, we are to rip off everything that weighs heavy on us, get rid of it. If there is sin in your life, pray for forgiveness and do not return to the sin. Once sin has been eradicated from our lives, we can run with endurance the race God has set before us. God has a purpose for you; He created only one you. This is the race that He has for you, nobody else.

How do we run with endurance? By keeping our eyes on Jesus, He is our champion. Jesus initiated our faith, and He will never give up until He perfects our faith. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Jesus endured the cross and its shame because of His love for you and because He knew He was returning to heaven to be with the Father once He had endured the cross. Jesus is an example we can look toward as we grow weary because our love for Him and our knowledge that we are on our way to heaven can help us endure.

Lastly, when you feel weary – think of all the hostility Jesus endured from sinful people; “then you won’t become weary and give up.” Jesus was rejected by the very people He created and the very people He came to save. Jesus faced rejection by His closest circle of friends, the disciples. They all deserted Him and rejected Him during and after His arrest. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Thomas refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead and Peter denied Him three times. Jesus was hurt, abandoned, betrayed, and abused by those closest to Him and those He came to save. To the point of death. Think of all that Jesus endured for you so that you can run the race that He has set out before you. Jesus is the Champion of your faith; He is there with you, running the race alongside of you and will never leave you.

Let’s pray. Thank You Jesus that You have set a race before each one of us. Thank You that we have a loving Champion, Who started the seed of faith in us and will perfect it. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen

Jesus was born in a stable because He is the lamb of God.

Luke 2 reads, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

“ ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Let’s pray. Thank You for giving us the best gift ever, the Lamb of God who came to take away our sins. Help us to share the love of Jesus with everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

In John chapter 1 starting in verse 29, we read, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”

What does it mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God?

In the Old Testament, the Jewish people would sacrifice animals to God for forgiveness of sins. The lambs that were offered to God were to be spotless. In other words, they were not to be lame or the weakest of the flock. The offering to God was to be the best that could be offered.

Animals were sacrificed because without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 states, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” God needed a perfect, sinless offering to shed their blood for the forgiveness of sin once and for all. With the animal sacrifices, their blood could not cover the sins of the people permanently. The people would sin, offer a lamb, and then when they sinned again, they would need to make another sacrifice.

Jesus was sinless, he was the spotless lamb that the people crucified. His blood poured out, just like the Old Testament sacrifices except that He offered His body freely. Jesus also rose from the dead after He offered His blood to cleanse people of their sins. He returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus returned to heaven because He had completed the sacrifice, once and for all. No more blood needs to be spilled; Jesus poured His out and offers everyone forgiveness of their sins – forever. All you have to do is believe in Jesus and you will join Him in heaven when you die.

Let’s pray. Thank You for loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

We see in John 21, after Peter had denied Jesus three times, that Jesus shows up and cooks breakfast.  In verse 15, we read, “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

 “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

In this conversation between Jesus and Peter, Jesus is forgiving Peter for the three times that Peter denied Him. Jesus is also preparing Peter to be the rock that the church will be built upon.

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18.

Building requires investment. Peter will have to give of himself, his time and forsake his desires. Living for Jesus means to put aside what you want and prioritize what Jesus wants. He wants us to feed His sheep, invest in the flock by giving of your time and talents. Peter ultimately gave his life for his belief in Jesus. He was feeding the sheep of Jesus right up until his death.

Let’s pray. Thank You for loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

We read in Mark chapter 14 starting in verse 22, “As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

²³ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. ²⁵ I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

²⁶ Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. ²⁷ On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike the Shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’

 As the death of Jesus nears, He reminds His followers of the verses in Zechariah chapter 13 starting in verse 7, where God says, I will “…strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs. ⁸ Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die,” says the Lord.  “But one-third will be left in the land. ⁹ I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”

God is talking about those who call on the name of the Lord. Those who turn from their sin and instead turn to the Lord. Those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and believe on the name of the Lord to save their souls. In order to be purified from sin, God will bring them through the fire and purify them. Once you call out to Jesus to save you from your sin and lift you out of your shame, He purifies you.

When Jesus is struck down by the religious leaders, His followers scatter. They ran from Jesus, they ran from the religious leaders, they ran from the Roman soldiers, and they ran from their faith in Jesus. Even though they ran from Jesus, He did not run from them. Each time they sinned, He forgave their sins.

Jesus showed great love and compassion to them while on the cross. He asked for forgiveness for those that crucified Him, (Luke 23:34). He also asked one of the disciples to take care of His mom after His death, (John 19:26). While we may wander or even run from Jesus, He will never leave us or forsake us.

Let’s pray. Thank You for dying on the cross for us and loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

In the book of John chapter 10 starting with verse 1, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! ² But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

⁶ Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, ⁷ so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. ¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

In these verses, Jesus is telling us that He is the way to heaven, He is the gate. In John 14:6, “Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” God the Father loves all people, He also loves His Son, Jesus. For people who reject His Son, which means they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, they will not be able to reach the Father and bypass Jesus. The path to the Father is through Jesus. Those who come through Jesus by their belief in Jesus will be saved.

The thief that Jesus refers to is the enemy, his sole goal is to steal and kill and destroy you and me. There are only 2 paths before every human, choose Jesus or reject Jesus. Not making a choice is a choice, it is the same as rejecting Jesus.

Jesus continues speaking in John chapter 10, verse 11. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, ¹⁵ just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”

Jesus has already given His life for you, yes, you. When you believe that, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the teacher who helps you learn about Jesus and the Father. The Holy Spirit helps you know Jesus, just like the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows the Father. Praise God that we have a Good Shepherd who loves us so very much!

Let’s pray. Thank You for loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

In Luke 15:3 we read, “Jesus told them this story: ⁴ “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. ⁶ When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

At one time, all followers of Jesus were that one lost sheep. We were that one that Jesus pursued in love until we finally said yes to Jesus.

 This time of year, we may be in contact with people that we do not interact with as frequently. Whether the gatherings are for a meal or to attend a play that family and friends are in, take this time to be aware of who the lost people are. As you move through crowds, celebrations, traditions or write letters and cards, pray about who is the one that Jesus wants you to reach out to about Him.

Each one of us has someone in our life that does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If you cannot think of anyone, pray for God to show you. Jesus will never stop seeking those He loves, which is every single person on this planet. Jesus was there when we were the one lost sheep, He will be there for them too.

Let’s pray. Thank You for loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.