[Manny Varela]

MATTHEW 14 – BEHEADED

So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:10-12)

John the Baptist was an instrumental ambassador for the Lord Jesus. Without fear, John spoke boldly concerning the coming kingdom. John would condemn the hypocritical Pharisees and preach to the masses about what true righteousness was; that salvation was not experienced through the law or a Hebrew bloodline but from the repentance from sin and the exercise of faith in the person of Jesus Christ.

John’s testimony threatened many of the Jewish leaders who had a stronghold on the Hebrew people. While the Pharisees preached the law, John preached the judgment of God and the repentance of sin. Many people who heard Johns’s message were saved and were publicly baptized. Sadly, many of the Hebrew converts faced a lifetime of exile by their family and communities.

CHALLENGE

John took his calling to preach the kingdom of God very seriously.

John preached with great zeal and holy conviction. Sadly, John’s witness for Jesus would eventually cost him his life by decapitation.

Today, God has the same message for you. Have you answered His calling? In doing so, it may cost you your life like it did Johns. Nevertheless, be of good cheer for Jesus’s promises to the saints that are “faithful unto death,” He “will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

[Erin Kesterson]

I am on my path to reach my calling that God has set for me. I know that many of us has a long way to go to get to are calling. Me for one has been lost along the way many, many times and I believe my calling is to help others and teach them and be gods ears. I pray and spread the words of my Lord with my family and with friends. I don’t fear the cost of my Life for I know God has something after life waiting. I have been faced with death and not knowing when my last day on earth would be. I was diagnosed with cancer and yet I am still loyal to my God I know if my last breath is today, I will still praise him and spread his word of gospel. I believe that “faithful unto death” is to test us to see if even in the moment of fear if we still will allow God to take control. God promising ” us the crown of life” is when we are reborn in life. All of us has life in a previous lifetime and have felt that we have done something in this lifetime before. So, God “will and has Given us the crown of life” time and time again in my beliefs.

[Addison West]

In response to the challenge, I recognize the profound importance of John 3:16, which reminds us of God’s love and the promise of eternal life through belief in His Son. The decision to follow Jesus is more than just acknowledging His existence; it requires placing full trust in Him and committing to live according to His teachings.

Choosing to make Jesus Lord of my life means embracing the salvation He offers and walking away from a life lived in darkness or self-reliance. It’s a decision that affects every aspect of life—changing priorities, values, and the way I treat others. The call to “be born again” is a transformation that begins with faith but is lived out daily through seeking God’s will.

Now, as 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, is the time to respond. I choose not to turn away or delay, but to step forward in faith, accepting God’s grace and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The world may offer distractions, but I believe that making Jesus Lord today is the most important decision I can make, knowing that His love, guidance, and promise of everlasting life are far greater than anything else.

[Jason Springer]

I believe that I have answered the calling that Jesus gives in Luke 9:21 when He says, “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” My life has changed a lot because of this response. I’ve been growing in wisdom and faith while learning how to overcome trials in life with Jesus by my side. Honestly, I think this verse at times is looked at as simple but I’ve come to learn that it’s one of the most challenging decisions you’ll have to make over and over again throughout life and it’s not always easy to do. But through spending time with Jesus and surrounding myself with a great community of believers I’ve been able to continue to grow in these areas of denying myself, bearing my cross daily, and following Jesus’ lead or example.

[Braden Binegar]

I may not know what my calling is yet, but I believe that if I get closer to God and pursue him better, he will reveal what he wants me to do with my life. for now, all I can do is pursue wait and listen for what God wants from me. I just hope that there is something about me that can be used by God in some way to help the great commission or helping people get saved.

[Trae Johnson]

It feels weird not knowing exactly what my calling is, there is an long standing desire to serve a purpose for the better of society. It doesn’t matter how big or small, if I can change someone’s life for the better. Then i will be satisfied, however I still feel the need to be apart of the small group of society who would willing risk their life to protect others. Weather that be as a first responder or as military, no matter how scared I may be. I would take on those challenges and burdens, as I have working in both of those fields already. I risk my life for the greater good, while maintaining to my morals. I will teach my children the same, because the world need people who are willing to step-up, no matter who doubts the truths of the world.

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