Sandals for Christmas
Nazarene in 2013

Scripture Reading:  Acts 24:1-8

Key Verse: Acts 24:5

“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect

The scripture for this last day of 2012 is about the Apostle Paul.  People were upset with him because of what he was preaching.  They called Paul a “ringleader,” which was a military term and signifies the officer who stands on the right of the first rank.  This is what Paul really was: an “officer” in God’s army, standing to the right of the first rank, the King of kings, Jesus!

This ringleader of the Nazarene sect was in trouble because he took his stand for what Jesus stood for!  Paul didn’t preach anything short of or beyond what Jesus taught.  Paul lived his life and behaved as much like Jesus as he could.  Paul talked like Jesus; treated people like Jesus treated people!  Why?  That is what people who were part of this “Nazarene sect” did.

We are Nazarenes if we are followers of Jesus Christ, as far as our scriptural context today.  What will Nazarene be in 2013?  How will we live?  How will we react to unkindness?  How will we talk and spend our money?  When people who are far from God get around us, what will they know about the Jesus we claim as our leader?  Let’s be true Nazarenes in 2013!  Let’s represent Jesus well and be His hands and feet!  Nazarenes represent the hope of the world!

Father, I want to live today in a way that you shine through me!  Guard my lips and grant me love for others that represents your love.  In Jesus’ name, amen.