Determined to Make a Difference

- Pastor Brad Liebe

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

There is only one time that Jesus received exactly what He deserved. It was during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem when He rode in on a donkey. People shouted Hosanna, waved palm branches, and laid down their coats in front of the King of Kings. Jesus knew His life was leading toward His death on the cross, so I’m sure the moment was bittersweet.

If we had this kind of foreknowledge about our lives, we would want that moment to last forever. We would like to linger in the adulation and the praise; we would rush to it and then stay in it as long as possible. Instead, we see that Jesus was not rushing to arrive in Jerusalem.

As Jesus led the way to Jerusalem, His disciples began to argue about who would be in positions of authority. He stopped to teach them about authority in the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught them that authentic leadership means serving others. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” He wasn’t in a hurry to be praised; Jesus knew it was essential to stop and do the good deeds placed in front of Him.

Then, they continued to walk to Jerusalem. Surely, at this point, Jesus would be in a hurry! They were in Jericho, which is only about 3 miles away from Jerusalem, when a blind man named Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus, again, wasn’t in a hurry to be praised; He knew it was essential to stop and do the good deeds placed in front of Him. Jesus healed Bartimaeus before receiving His deserved honor.

Jesus’ triumphal entry was momentous, historic, and all that Jesus deserves. It is a glimpse into what Heaven will be like. Bartimaeus followed Jesus there and wasn’t just allowed to hear it. Bartimaeus saw it firsthand because Jesus stopped to do the good deeds placed in front of Him.

The people God sends in our way are part of the race God has set before us. Our verse for today encourages us to shed off the things that keep us from running this race. Maybe that’s your schedule, expectations, or choices. Shed off the burdens that keep you from running the race with endurance and be determined, like Jesus, to make a difference.

Make a Difference:

How do you feel when people interrupt your day? Based on today’s reading, how do you think Jesus wants us to react? Take time and ask God for help to shed off the burdens of our expectations and run the race with endurance to make a difference in this world.

As You Read:

This week, we will read Ezra and Esther, where we see people determined to make a difference. Ezra helped rebuild the temple. Esther and Mordecai were determined to save the nation of Israel from Haman, who meant to kill Jewish people. Look for ways to make a difference!