Speaker: Courtesy LHM

John was more than just Jesus’ cousin; He was the fore-runner God sent to get things ready for Jesus’ own work. He was a prophet, the greatest of them all according to Jesus. And now He was dead. No wonder Jesus withdrew to Galilee, out of Herod’s reach!

We do it too, don’t we? A really good preacher, a favorite pastor, a youth leader who knows how to connect with the kids—or, on a larger scale, a favorite Christian singer or writer.

Isaiah stops describing the light and starts describing its effects on the country, on the people. They are growing in number, happy and celebrating. Their burdens have been lifted.

In Jesus we have the assurance that God has not cast us aside. God has said, “Seek My face,” and He is waiting to be found because, in Christ, He first sought and found us.

Satan will return to try again. Scheming and shrewd, the father of lies will try to wear down, tear down, and destroy the boy’s Christian courage and confidence. He will do the same to you, brother and sister.

Jesus carries our sins, we are forgiven. Jesus is not our lamb—we did not buy Him or send Him. God did. Why? Because He loves us. He would not stand by and see us destroy ourselves with our own evil.

Jesus loves us better than anyone else. And He has shown Himself faithful, all through His life on earth, all through our lives as we call on Him in every need and trouble.

Like any man, Jesus puts His trust in God, and leans on Him for strength. The incarnate Son of God is not ashamed to behave like any believer; He is our model.

“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1b). Eve, and Adam with her, listened to the lie and questioned God’s Word. They disobeyed their Creator’s command and shattered their relationships with God, with creation, and with one another.