December 14, 2025 - Jesus, the Son, came to take away our sins, so what now?

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation Reveals the Father’s Heart

Jesus didn’t come merely to deliver ideas about God; He came to embody God’s character so you could see, taste, and trust it. In Him, compassion isn’t a concept—it touches lepers and lifts the broken. In Him, grace isn’t a slogan—it forgives and restores sinners without condemnation. In Him, patience isn’t theory—it welcomes slow learners and stubborn hearts. In Him, faithful love isn’t poetry—it holds on through storms and sorrow. Let your soul rest in the nearness of God made visible in Jesus today, and receive the Father’s heart for you [03:14].

John 1:18 — Though no one has seen God, the unique Son, who shares God’s very nature and lives in closest fellowship with the Father, has made the Father truly known.

Reflection: Where, this week, can you slow your pace long enough to personally receive Jesus’ compassion so the Father’s heart moves from information to experience for you?

Day 2: Behold the Lamb—Look and Act

“Look” is more than a glance; it is seeing in a way that changes your direction. The first disciples heard, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and they shifted their allegiance from what was good to the One who is best. Jesus turned and asked, “What do you want?”—inviting desire to become discipleship. He then said, “Come and see,” welcoming them into His actual life, not just His ideas. Today, behold in a way that moves your feet, rearranges your schedule, and brings your questions into His presence [04:42].

John 1:35–39 — Two of John’s followers heard him point to Jesus as God’s Lamb, so they began following Jesus. He turned and asked them, “What are you seeking?” They replied, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and you’ll find out,” and they went with Him and spent the day where He was.

Reflection: What single change in your routine this week would say to Jesus, “I’m coming to see where You dwell,” and how will you make room for it?

Day 3: First Things First—Share Jesus with Your “Simon”

When Jesus becomes real, sharing Him isn’t the last thing; it’s the first thing. Andrew didn’t wait to perfect his theology; he simply went to the person he loved most and brought him to Jesus. Your “Simon” may be a sibling, coworker, neighbor, or friend—someone close to you, within reach of your love. Creativity and intentionality matter: a story, an invitation, a question, a meal. Ask the Spirit for a name and a next step, and trust that Jesus will meet you both along the way [05:56].

John 1:40–42 — Andrew, after spending time with Jesus, went first to his brother Simon and said, “We’ve found the Anointed One.” He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which means Peter.

Reflection: Who is your “Simon,” and what gentle first step—an invitation, a message, or a conversation—could you take this week to bring them nearer to Jesus?

Day 4: Believe Christ Can Transform Their Name

Some people assume Jesus wants nothing to do with them; carry hope on their behalf. Andrew not only introduced his brother—he believed Jesus could rename him, re-story him, and steady him like a rock. Pray over your “Simon” with expectancy, asking Jesus to speak identity and future. Remember, when you stumble, the Lamb still advocates for you; transformation rises from His mercy, not your perfection. Let your faith in Jesus’ power to change a life shape both your prayers and your posture [06:31].

1 John 2:1–2 — If we stumble into sin, we have a defender with the Father—Jesus the Righteous One. He Himself is the atoning sacrifice that deals with our sins, and not ours only, but the sins of the whole world.

Reflection: What hope-filled, God-given quality or “new name” could you begin praying over your “Simon,” and how might you communicate that hope in a way that feels safe and honoring?

Day 5: The Slain Lamb and the Nations Nearby

The Lamb who was slain is alive and worthy, and by His blood He has purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. The nations are not only far away; many live on our streets and learn in our schools. Love makes room, crosses cultural lines, and offers practical kindness that opens hearts to Jesus. Behold the Lamb, and let His global heart reshape your local habits—hospitality, friendship, and courageous witness. Pray for creativity, courage, and compassion to participate in His gathering of the nations—right where you are [07:48].

Revelation 5:6, 9–10 — I saw a Lamb, scarred as if slain, standing at the center of the throne. Heaven sang a new song: “You are worthy to open God’s purposes, because You were killed and by Your blood You bought people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation, making them a kingdom and priests to serve.”

Reflection: What is one concrete act of cross-cultural love you can offer this week—an invitation, a shared meal, help with a need—that could gently move a neighbor closer to Jesus?

Sermon Summary

Advent keeps bringing me back to the question: why did the Son of God take on flesh? I walked us through the big story—how the incarnation makes the Father’s heart visible. John says no one has seen God, but the Son has made Him known. That’s compassion you can touch, grace you can feel, truth that seeks and heals. Then we considered what it means that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Scripture gives us a collage: the substitute caught in the thicket for Isaac, the Passover blood that covers and frees, and the daily temple lamb that keeps relationship current. “Behold” isn’t passive. It’s an invitation to look so intently that you move.

In John 1, when John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” two disciples reorient their lives and follow Jesus. Andrew spends time with Him and then does the first thing—he brings his brother. That pattern gave us a path: make sharing Jesus a priority; be intentional about bringing people near; believe Jesus can transform the very people who doubt it most; and let your own life with Jesus become compelling. If you’re magnetized by Him, there’s a pull through you that can outlast your presence.

We named a “Simon”—someone close to us who doesn’t yet know Jesus—and prayed for courage and creativity to bring them near this Christmas. We also lifted grieving families, and we opened our doors to our Yazidi neighbors with practical love, gifts, and the story of Jesus. None of this is abstract. Revelation shows the slain Lamb on the throne, worthy because He purchased people from every tribe and language. That vision moves through ordinary people who decide that “behold” means “follow,” “speak,” “invite,” and “believe” now—not someday.

So I asked the Spirit to give us names, faith, and words. Maybe He’ll even entrust you with a Scripture or a timely encouragement that lets someone know God is thinking of them. This season is a beautiful moment to step toward Jesus and to bring others with you. We have found the Messiah. Let’s live and speak like it.

Key Takeaways

1. Make sharing Jesus your first thing The first thing Andrew did after encountering Jesus was to go to his brother. Priority reveals value, and love naturally seeks the people nearest to us. Don’t wait until you “know enough;” witness grows as you give it away. Who is your Simon, and what is your first step this week? [42:05]
2. Behold—and then move your feet “Behold” isn’t a museum word; it’s a word that requires action. Seeing Jesus as the Lamb who takes away sin presses a decision: remain an admirer or become a follower. Real beholding rearranges calendars, conversations, and loyalties. If He is the Lamb, He is also Lord. [38:46]
3. Bring people intentionally to Jesus Andrew didn’t just make a suggestion; he brought Simon to Jesus. Intentionality looks like invitations, rides, meals, and stories told at the right time with the right tenderness. Creativity in love opens doors that arguments cannot. Ask the Spirit for one concrete, doable next step. [47:17]
4. Believe in others’ God-shaped future Jesus looked at volatile Simon and saw solid Peter. Many around us cannot imagine a different future, but faith names them by who they can become in Christ. Prayer trains our eyes to see people prophetically, not just historically. Speak hope that makes room for transformation. [51:42]
5. Let Jesus’ life magnetize yours Proximity to Jesus creates a pull in us that draws others beyond our personality or skill. Over time, people attach to Him, not to us—that’s success in the kingdom. Cultivate a lived-with-Jesus life that is quietly compelling: repentant, joyful, steady. Attraction follows authenticity. [58:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:27] - Love for Yazidi outreach
[26:10] - Comfort for grieving families
[30:46] - Why God became flesh
[33:39] - God provides the substitute Lamb
[36:46] - Passover covering and daily grace
[38:46] - Behold that transforms into following
[42:05] - Sharing Jesus becomes the first thing
[44:25] - Who is your Simon?
[47:17] - Creative ways to bring people
[48:55] - Abby’s testimony and the gospel
[55:04] - Found by the Messiah ourselves
[58:06] - Magnetized lives that attract others
[60:38] - The slain Lamb on the throne
[63:28] - Pray, believe, and act this season

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- John 1:29–42

Observation questions (3–4)

In John 1:29 John the Baptist points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” What immediate, concrete responses are recorded in the passage when the disciples hear that proclamation? [38:46]
After spending a day with Jesus, what is the very first thing Andrew does? How does that action shape the unfolding story in the passage? [42:05]
How is the word translated “behold” described in the teaching? In what ways does the passage show “beholding” as something that leads to movement rather than merely admiration? [38:46]
What practical examples from the narrative show that “bringing someone to Jesus” involved intentional, tangible steps rather than only verbal suggestion? [47:17]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

Why would making sharing Jesus the “first thing” (protos) be a natural outflow of truly seeing Jesus as the Lamb who takes away sin? What does the passage imply about priority and value in the life of a follower? [42:05]
What does Andrew’s belief about his brother imply about how a disciple should view people who currently seem far from God? How does the story show faith in others’ transformation as part of evangelistic responsibility? [51:42]
The passage records Jesus inviting the two disciples to “come and you will see” and then spending time with them. How does this pattern (invitation → time with Jesus → testimony to others) function as a model for making disciples? [42:05]
Revelation later shows the Lamb as “slain” yet worthy, gathering people from every tribe and language. How does that heavenly vision help interpret the local, ordinary actions of followers (inviting, bringing, believing) described in John 1? [01:00:38]

Application questions (4–7)

Who is your “Simon” — one person close to you who does not yet follow Jesus? What is one simple, concrete first step you will take this week to bring them closer to Jesus (a conversation, an invitation, a meal, a ride)? [42:05]
What would it look like in your schedule to make sharing Jesus a first thing instead of a someday thing? Name one change you can make this month to prioritize a regular, intentional opportunity to introduce someone to Jesus. [42:05]
Name one creative, practical way you could actually “bring” someone to Jesus this Christmas season (a gift with the Christmas story, an invitation to an event, a shared meal, offering childcare to get them to a service). What will you do and when will you do it? [47:17]
Which person in your life feels like a long shot spiritually, but you believe Jesus could transform them? How will you pray for that person this week, and what hopeful, specific word could you speak about their God-shaped future? [51:42]
How is your life being magnetized by Jesus so that others are drawn to Him through you? Identify one habit or attitude you will cultivate this month (repentance, steady joy, daily time with Jesus) that would make your life more compelling to others. [58:06]
Ask the Spirit for a name, a Scripture, or a timely encouragement to share. If God gives you one this week, how will you actually deliver it (text, card, phone call, visit)? Commit to a day and method now. [01:03:28]
If someone in your group wants prayer or a plan for bringing a specific person to Jesus, pair up now and pray for courage, creativity, and one practical next step you will follow up on together. [01:15:25]

Sermon Clips

think of the stories of the healings think of the stories where he offered forgiveness think of the stories where he offered no condemnation think of the stories uh where he extended god's truth to those that were lost he was expressing in a tangible way compassion and grace and slowness to anger and abounding in faithful love why the incarnation at least one part of the why is because he was revealing he was making the father known [00:32:02] (31 seconds) #JesusRevealsTheFather

where isaac is bound and he's on an altar and he's about to be sacrificed and abraham has his knife up and god stops him and says don't do it and in his place there is a ram that is caught in the thicket and we know that abraham has just told his son the lord will provide because isaac is saying where's the lamb and he says the lord will provide and the lord supernaturally provides and so when we say that jesus is a lamb of god we say god provides particularly a substitute for us it's not something we can generate in our own power [00:34:13] (40 seconds) #GodProvides

and we see in the new testament jesus is described as both the the sacrificial lamb and the priest and that when we sin if we confess our sins jesus doesn't have to die again but he takes from what he did and he advocates for us to the father so all of that portrays for us that that jesus is the lamb of god who takes away the sin of the world [00:37:28] (27 seconds) #LambAndPriest

when the two disciples heard him say this when they heard john say what behold the lamb of god who takes away the sin of the world they followed jesus he says behold the lamb of god who takes away the sin of the world what's the first thing those who get it do is they make a change and they begin to follow jesus [00:39:39] (31 seconds) #HeardAndFollowed

the first thing andrew did as a follower of jesus was to find his brother simon we're going to know him later as peter so we'll say simon peter the first thing andrew did was find his brother simon and tell him we have found the messiah that's the word messiah is the hebrew way of saying anointed one christ is the greek way of saying anointed one we have found the anointed one [00:41:48] (24 seconds) #FoundTheMessiah

and he brought him to jesus he didn't just say hey you ought to go find this guy hey this has been good for me but he did something intentional he went and he somehow escorted he somehow brought simon actually to jesus what does that look like what does it look like for us to to be praying for opportunities to be creative to be intentional about bringing people to jesus [00:46:49] (49 seconds) #BringPeopleToJesus

imagine that that magnet is jesus and this nail is me well this nail is me and this is my simonthis other nail it it doesn't do anything but if this magnet is jesus and this nail is me and if i'm attached to jesus there's a magnetism that comes through me over time even as i step out of the picture they are connected to jesus [00:57:55] (41 seconds) #BeAMagnetForJesus

jesus has purchased people but we are given the invitation and we're given the calling to be a witness so i say to you who is your simon who's your simone and is your experience with jesus so transformational that is compelling and how might you bring them near to jesus this this christmas season don't don't push this off don't say this would be one of my goals in 2026 why not in 2025 why not [01:02:47] (41 seconds) #InviteYourSimon

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Why did the Son take on flesh?

What does behold truly require of us?

How does Jesus as Lamb span Scripture?