by Ronnie Hewitt

 

Everyone who has ever lived has had the same need. Due to the sin that is found in humanity, everyone needed atonement, without exception—rich and poor, old and young, men and women. As God commanded, each person needed to have their sins forgiven in order to become right with Him.

 

The Atonement of Jesus stands as the central pillar of the Christian faith. Through His selfless sacrifice, Jesus bridged the gap between God and humanity, offering forgiveness, hope, and eternal life to all who believe. The word “atonement” refers to the reconciliation between God and humankind brought about by the sacrificial death of Jesus. In the Old Testament, atonement was accomplished through the offering of sacrifices, but these were only temporary solutions foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice to come. Jesus, the Lamb of God, fulfilled this promise by laying down His life on the cross, once and for all, for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem to be executed, the mother of James and John requests that her sons be given a preferred seat, next to Jesus, in the kingdom of heaven. Both the disciples and their families have become preoccupied with status rather than serving. They have missed the whole point of Jesus’leadership.Jesus tells them plainly that His style of leadership stands in stark contrast to the world’s. He teaches that the greatest must be the servant. Leadership is about adding value, not getting perks. Therefore, in Matthew 20:25-28, He teaches that we lead by serving and serve by leading.

 

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 ‘It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” (NASB)

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

To be a blessing is to embody the spirit of generosity, kindness, and compassion that Scripture continuously holds as ideal. Throughout the Bible, the calling to bless others—whether through words, actions, or presence—resonates as an invitation to participate in God’s work and reflect divine love in the world. In a society often focused on self-interest, the scriptural mandate to be a blessing is a timeless challenge to live beyond self to influence lives for good.

 

The concept of blessing emerges early in Scripture. In Genesis 12:2-3, God speaks to Abram (later Abraham), saying: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”