Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s FOCUS on our Jesus.

Today’s scripture, Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT) instructs…
[2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Consider…
August 8, 1991 an iconic commercial aired for the first time. The “Be Like Mike” slogan resonated with audiences, encapsulating the desire to emulate Jordan’s success and athletic lifestyle. Representing more than just a sports drink, Gatorade established itself as a symbol of sporting achievement.

Before Gatorade joined the ‘brand-waggon’ of Michael Jordan, Nike bet on his iconic influence as a rookie, releasing the first ‘Air Jordans’ on April 1, 1985. According to Nike’s fiscal 2024 earnings report, the Jordan brand generated $7 Billion in revenue.

Gatorade and Nike believed in the iconic influence of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time and invested accordingly. Needless to say the investment paid off.

Looking up those facts about one of my favorite basketball players, made me wonder, what made him an icon? In order to answer that question, I needed to define an icon.

According to Oxford Languages an icon is a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration (great respect; reverence).

That’s it, he was the symbol of the best basketball player in the world.

That made me quickly pivot to Hebrews 4:14-15 (NLT) which exclaims…
[14] So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [15] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Jesus is the greatest person ever, and our example to emulate!

While writing this, I hear VaShawn Mitchell singing…

Jesus is the greatest man I know
Jesus is the greatest man I know
Made the moon, stars, the land, and sea
Redemptive man of authority
Jesus is the greatest man I know

Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God.
Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God.
That is why we bow before Your throne
Knowing You are God alone
Jesus is the greatest man I know

Indeed Jesus is justifiably iconic. In fact, God made Him so. Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) explains…
[9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Wow, God just declared that Jesus is THE GREATEST!

That shuffled me to brother VaShawn’s lyrics…
I climbed up to the highest mountain
Looked all around, couldn’t find nobody
Went down into the deepest valley
Looked all around down there, couldn’t find nobody

I went across the deep blue sea
Couldn’t find one to compare
To your grace, your love and mercy
Nobody greater, nobody greater than you

Searched all over, couldn’t find nobody
I looked high and low, still couldn’t find nobody
Nobody greater, nobody greater, no
Nobody greater than you

Searched all over, couldn’t find nobody
I looked high and low, still couldn’t find nobody
Nobody greater, nobody greater
Nobody greater than you
Nobody can heal, like you can

Oh most holy one you are the Great I Am
Awesome in all your ways and mighty is your hand
You are He who carried out redemption’s plan
You are He who carried out redemption’s plan

Searched all over, couldn’t find nobody
I looked high and low, still couldn’t find nobody
Nobody greater, nobody greater Jesus
Nobody greater than you

But God didn’t only declare Jesus as the greatest, He also made Him the standard. Romans 8:29 (NLT)
explains…
[29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

God wants us to be like Jesus!

Jesus emphasizes that point in John 15:10-12 (NLT), when He says…
[10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! [12] This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

Jesus obeyed God, so we must obey God too!

As I thought of Jesus’ obedience, the Holy Spirit showed me that it was the Son’s self sacrifice that His Father loved. Jesus explained in John 10:17 (NLT)…
[17] “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.

To which the Holy Spirit showed me Romans 12:1 (NLT), which exhorts…
[1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

God wants us to focus on giving ourselves up for others like Jesus. The Holy Spirit underscored that point with 1 John 3:16 (NLT) which challenges…
[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

And then the Lord tripled down with 1 Peter 2:21-24 (NLT), which details…
[21] For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [22] He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. [23] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. [24] He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

Notice Jesus didn’t worry about responding to ‘them’ (us), because He was only focused on living for, and obeying Him (our Heavenly Father).

This just reminded me of Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT)…
[44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

The Holy Spirit says if you want to be a child of God you have to be like His Son!

Which brings us to Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) which exhorts…
[5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Humility, obedience, submission and sacrifice are the Christ-like attitudes that children of God must have.

Lastly, I can’t stop thinking about those ‘Air Jordans’. People who were inspired by MJ, wanted to wear his likeness. Well the Holy Spirit reminded me that Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT) tells us…
[26] For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [28] There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Just like people can spot Jordans’, others should be able to see Jesus on His followers.

So today, focus on Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone else in the world! Don’t settle for being like Mike, instead aspire to be like Jesus!

Today’s song is…
Be Like Jesus

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)