John 1:29-34
Have you ever read through the Old Testament book of Leviticus? It describes the sin offering, the peace offerings, the other offerings that almost all required the death and blood of an animal. It describes everything from the offender placing his hands on the animal’s head to acknowledge sin to the actual burning of specific pieces of the animal and its fat. It describes how the priest was to take some of the blood of the animal and splash it on the altar as they asked God to forgive the sin of the people. After a reading Leviticus for a few days I get overwhelmed and thank God I was not alive then. I would have needed a huge herd of animals to pay for my sin.
Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. His body and blood satisfied the wrath of God toward sin for eternity. It goes back to our devotion from day 1. Jesus was the plan from the beginning. He came knowing only His death and resurrection would satisfy the need of a perfect sacrifice once for all.
In December we visited Israel and a part of our tour took us to Bethlehem. We toured the cave area where it is believed Jesus took his first breaths as well as the shepherds fields where the good news was made known. Our guide explained that Jesus was placed into a makeshift bed made from the trough animals would have eaten from. They talked about the wraps He was swaddled in suggesting the possibility that the wraps could have come from Elizabeth. If you go back and read the gospel account when Mary found out she was expecting Jesus she went to see her cousin Elizabeth who had her own miraculous story of bearing a child. Elizabeth’s son John would be a forerunner of Jesus. The cloth could have been from garments worn by Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband who served as a priest. He had been offering sacrifices as described in Leviticus before the Lord when God had told him that Elizabeth would have a son and that he “Will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” Luke 1:16-17 The guide talked about how the lambs in the fields where the shepherds were probably kept lambs that would one day be used as sacrifices at the Temple. These lambs were wrapped with the cloths to prevent them from being scraped or injured. The guide reminded us that Jesus like those lambs was being prepared to one day be The Sacrifice. Only a perfect lamb could be used for sacrifice. John was right when he said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 John knew from his experience as the son of the priest the importance of that sacrifice. He also knew and made known that Jesus was The Son of God.
Thank God today that you too are on this side of the Cross. Thank Jesus for what He did to pay for your sin. Confess any known sin and make it your purpose today to tell someone today about the difference Jesus has made in your life. John said it best when he said “He must increase and I must decrease.” When we make much of Jesus and less of us we are following the example John set for us.

John 1:14
As I write this devotion I am in the air on a flight to go see our new grandson. His mom gave birth last Wednesday. She labored for 24 hours to finally succumb to a c-section because our little man was too big to fit through the birth canal. As my baby girl labored I labored too for her. My heart broke to be so far away when I knew she hurt so badly. I knew God had a plan and He was in control, but there were still fears of the unknown.
When I think back to that day and the long grueling hours. I can’t help but think of Mary. She was far from her mom. She was alone with her husband bringing a precious son into the world. She knew God was with her. He was His Son not just hers and yet I am sure she too feared the unknown. The pain was real, the blood and birth natural and yet this Son was far from ordinary. God’s son!
John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory as the One and Only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.” Verse 18 goes on to say “No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son, who is at the Father’s side. He has revealed Him.” God sent Jesus so that we might know Him. Matthew 1:23 tells us that the Son would be named Immanuel which means, God with us. Jesus came that we might know God. Luke 1:32-33 Jesus is called the Son of the Most High and that He would have the throne of His Father David. He would reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom would know no end. The Jews of that day looked for royalty born in a fortress. God sent His Son to a humble cave with the birth announcement sent to Shepherds caring for the flock of sheep that would possibly one day serve as a sacrifice. Jesus was wrapped in clothes just as many of the sacrificial lambs would have been to prevent them from becoming marred. Jesus came to be our sacrifice.
I can’t imagine our precious grandson giving his life for the world. God sent His Son for this purpose. As you go through out your day today keep your eyes open for children. As you see each child pray for them. Pray they will come to know the Son early in life. Pray for their parents that they too would have a genuine relationship with Jesus. Pray for your children and grandchildren that they would see Jesus in you and want a Christ centered life. Thank God that He gave His Son so that each of us might know Him.

John 1:4-5 Do you remember a couple of years ago a group of young boys and their soccer coach set out to explore a cave. While they were far inside the cave a huge rain came and the water rose cutting off the only route of exit. For days those outside the cave worked to reach the young explorers. One navy seal even lost his life trying to rescue the boys. As people would describe what the boys were experiencing the word darkness came up over and over. The darkness made it more difficult to find them. The darkness prevented them from being able to see their surroundings and figure out how to cope. The darkness escalated their fears not knowing what surrounded them or even how to move. Even for us in a relatively safe environment when it is totally dark we fear stumbling, can’t find what we need and may even fear the evil associated with it.
For 400 years before Jesus entered the world through the Virgin Mary God chose to remain silent. There was a spiritual darkness. Yes there was still a Temple, but God chose not to speak through His prophets. Then John records in verse 1:4-5 “Life was in Him and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness yet the darkness did not overcome it.” Verse 14 goes on to say “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.”
Jesus, the Light of the world, came in human flesh so that the Light of the gospel would dawn not just on those in that day but in our lives as well. When Jesus came, He dispelled the darkness of sin, death and hell. Because He came we too can have life. The choice to follow the Light is ours.
We now know that the young boys in the cave were rescued. Just as someone came to them to rescue them, we too have a Rescuer who waits for us to come to the Light of the gospel and to be saved!
If you have never called on Jesus to forgive your sin, why not allow Him to shed light on your life today. If you walk in the Light, today by your actions, attitudes and words share the Light of the Gospel with someone. Their eternal lives may depend on it.

Numbers 7, Ecclesiastes 5-6,Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 100: Are you weak and tired? Have you been struggling with something that has just zapped you or even sucked you of energy, happiness, enthusiasm or just life? Is it a physical ailment, something that just doesn’t look like it is getting any better, or something you know will be with you until you breath your last? If any of this rings true to you or someone you love then keep reading because there is hope. Paul felt the same way with what he describes as a “thorn in the flesh”. Some have suggested that thorn to be a physical problem, an eye problem or even a difficult relationship. No matter what the struggle was Paul described it as a thorn in the flesh and a messenger of Satan to harass. Paul asked 3 times for God to remove it. God’s answer may be the same to you as it was to Paul 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response then was “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Sweet friend. I pray today that you will know Great Strength from your Heavenly Father. I pray that in your weakness His strength will be manifested not just to you but to all of those around you. I pray that if it is His will He will heal or remove the thorn in your life, but if not that you will find His grace is enough. I pray you too can post even more in your weakness because He is your strength and that you will learn to be content in that weakness not because it is comfortable, but because you are resting in the arms of the One who is your strength and will carry you through.

I have spent the last few months submerged in the book of John. As I have read and studied I have found myself smiling at times and weeping at others. Joh’s purpose in writing the book is that those who read the accounts he described would know who Jesus was, what He did, and by seeing that you would believe. Here is how John put it:
John 20:30-31 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and by believing you may have eternal life in His name.
I share that aim and goal. Over the next 28 days we will use John’s words to give an accurate description of The Son of God. I will supply some insights into those verses to help us to Soak Up the Son and apply the principles we learn to our everyday lives.

Day 1
Before The Beginning
John 1:1-5, Ephesians 1:4-6
Many people think Jesus came into being at His birth in Bethlehem, but His story began much before that. In fact with Jesus as with God and the Holy Spirit there was never a beginning and there will never be an ending to them. Look at John 1:1 it says “In the beginning was the Word.” Jesus, the Word, already was before it all began. God did not create Him as He did all of the rest of creation. Matter of fact, look back at verse 3, all things were created through Him. Ephesians 1 says God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. We are adopted through Jesus into God’s family. It was always the plan before the world was even created. I don’t know about you, but for me that is mind boggling. God knew the price Jesus would pay before He created us and yet He loved us enough to create everything through the very One who would take on our sin and shame. Jesus chose us and this path even at the great cost it would cause Him.
John 1:12 says “but to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
As we begin this journey I ask you to begin it with an attitude of gratitude. The Creator of the Universe chose you!!!! He chose to give you life not just in this world, but eternal life in Heaven to come. Thank Him for the life you have today. Thank Him for the family you have been given. Thank Him for the home, church, country of origin, possessions and so much more you enjoy daily. Thank Him for Jesus and what He went through so that you could have life eternal. Just thank Him for who He is and for the great love He has for you. Just thank Him!

Leviticus 27, Proverbs 25-26, Mark 14:53-65, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Psalm 93: Who is Jesus to you? On this weekend when many will be celebrating I think that is a valid question. Is He the One and Only Son sent from the Father? Is He the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Is He the your Savior? What you do with your life really answers the question much better than just your words. If He is your Savior then you no longer live and He is alive and at work in you. If He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords then your every action must come in submission to Him. If He is the One and Only Son of God then His authority supersedes any other authority or power and everything He said and everything He did are true. If that be the case then EVERYTHING changes! He holds our world, our present, our past and our future together!
He is all of these things and because He is He can make the claim He made in Mark 14:61″Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Because Jesus is all of these things and so much more, today I choose to worship Him. I choose to humble myself before Him. I choose to obey His commands. I choose to honor Him not just on Easter weekend, but every day my lungs fill with air and my heart pumps. I choose to life the verse, “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” To Him be honor and glory and praise today and forever more!

Leviticus 24:1-25:22, Proverbs 21,
Mark 14:12-31, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 90: As I read the passage today I was drawn to study 2 Corinthians 6 a little deeper. It is talking about how Paul and those working with him commend themselves to those they are being a witness to asking them to come to Christ. What drew me were the lists he makes in the passage.
The first list was what they had gone through for the sake of the gospel. Verse 4-5:
by great endurance,
in afflictions,
hardships,
calamities,
beatings,
imprisonments,
riots,
labors,
sleepless nights,
hunger
Then he lists what allowed them to do these things. Verse 6-7
by purity,
knowledge,
patience,
kindness,
the Holy Spirit,
genuine love;
by truthful speech,
and the power of God;
with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
Then the verse changes patters to a list of contrasts vs. 8-10
through honor and dishonor,
through slander and praise.
We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
as unknown, and yet well known;
as dying, and behold, we live;
as punished, and yet not killed;
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
In the end the idea is that we did everything we knew to do to try to bring you a true witness of who Christ is and what He has done in our lives. What are we willing to do to bring those we know and care about to faith in Christ? Are we willing to be persecuted? Are we willing to live a life devoted and genuine before God and others. For all of us we will struggle and be misunderstood at times, but as we live right constantly before others, they may not want to give up their life for Him, but they will see a true picture of what a Jesus follower looks like. I pray today and especially this week as we lead up to Easter that we will die to self in order to live for Him and bring others along with us.

Leviticus 20; Proverbs 16-17; Mark 13:1-13; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Psalm 87: Do you have a friend who always has a plan? I do. She always has a plan and asks me each day, “What’s your plan today?” Now I do believe in a plan, but I don’t always have to have a project like my friend. lol. She needs a specific project and plan for every day. For me, I have a loose plan, but I know that at any minute it could change.
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.”
My friend would tell you her plans are somewhat loose as well, but a big part of that is because we know God may have a different plan. He may have a project we did not see on the agenda. As we listen to Him and obey we may find that our plans and projects need to take a back seat. The wise person responds to this with joy and chooses the path God has over their own. Projects and plans are good as long as you are resting in the knowledge that the Supervisor can change it at any time. He knows best. We can trust Him.
Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Leviticus 15, Proverbs 11, Mark 11:1-14, 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4, Psalm 82: Do you struggle with anxiety? Many of us do in varying degrees. For some it comes when we find out a new piece of information and we stress over how it will work out. For others it is a constant companion and they would not know how to act if they were not toiling over something. Still others struggle with it so strongly that they have full blown attacks that debilitate them. No matter what level your anxiety functions at, God has a word for us today.
Proverbs 11:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.”
As I have pondered this verse I believe part of the weighing down is that we believe the situation is up to us to control or solve. We know in our finite ability and resources a pleasing solution is not probable. The good news is that it is not incumbent on us to solve the problem. Your Heavenly Father is the One who spoke the world into existence and He is still in control of every detail of your life. One of the reasons you may be experiencing the struggles you are is to remind you the you are not the One in control. It may be a test to see if you will submit to God and allow Him to be your calm in the midst of your storm knowing He can work it out. Is it easy? No! Is it important? Yes. If you are one who lives in the perpetual state of worry or anxiety I have a good word for you as well. Cast ALL your cares on Him for He cares for you! That is how Peter put it. God doesn’t want you to live in a stomach tied way of life. It is time to learn to function on a different default. Turning your cares over to Him. Paul to the church at Philipi to “be anxious about nothing but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Then the next verse is my favorite. “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus your Lord.”
No matter where you are on the anxiety spectrum there is a word here for you. Give your cares away to God through prayer then watch Him work on your behalf. You sweet friend can relax, He has got you and your every concern.

Leviticus 14:1-32, Proverbs 8, Mark 10:35-45, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalm 80: Have you ever gone through a traumatic experience and wonder how people ever survive such? When you heard of someone else going through the same ordeal how did you respond? I would hope that you would have responded as the scripture today says,
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
For those who think that believers should not suffer they could not be further from the truth. The truth is that we do suffer but we suffer as those with hope. Then when others suffer we are able to share the hope of Christ that carries us through. Suffering doesn’t mean that God does not love or care for us. It means He is allowing hardships in our lives so we can be dependent on Him and remember that life here is passing. We will one day be truly Home where there is no sorrow, no evil, no tears. Until then we will suffer and we will be given opportunity to comfort others suffering as well.
Look around you today to see who in your world needs a touch of mercy and love from the Father. Then speak words of encouragement or do something that speaks the love of the Father for them. This is a great opportunity to share the gospel message!