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Christmas 2024

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own … Isaiah 53:6 NLT • Sheep are weak. • Sheep are witless. • Sheep are wayward. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. ... When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:8-9, 11 NLT And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:22-23 NIV TALK ABOUT IT 1. Read Isaiah 53:3-11. What stands out to you from this passage? How does knowing what Jesus did for you influence the way you live? 2. What are some practical ways you can take up your cross and follow Christ this week? 3. Who can you share the love of Jesus with this week? Who could you invite to Christmas Eve service with you?