Devotion for Wednesday, December 24, 2025

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.  Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household” (Mark 6:3-4).

In this world, we qualify and quantify.  We think we know when we do not.  Jesus is God in the flesh, and He appeared in a certain time and place according to the Father’s will.  People have been taking offense because of Him ever since.  People are offended by God.  Pride has torn down goodness and evil has taken root.  God is God and this is His creation.  But people will dishonor Him because of pride.

Lord, Help me to see others through Your eyes.  Pride causes others to dishonor You because of their evil ways.  Help me to accept others as I would want to be accepted.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to accept that You are Who You are and that You have created me to be who I am.  Let me take no offense other than where there is true offense.  Help me to see things as they are and not through the cloud of my own imagination.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save as many as believe.  Lead me in the salvation You have given no matter how many times those around me react with incredulous attitudes.  You are our Lord and Savior.  Lead me along the narrow path to do what is right in the Father’s sight.  Guide me into all righteousness for Your name’s sake knowing that in You I have hope and a future.  Amen.