Courage To Speak Up for Jesus

But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people." But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. John 7:10-13

 Meditate. Consider this joyous festival…and fear.

 

No courage to speak up for Jesus. They were afraid of getting in trouble with the powerful Jewish leaders. Remember what Joshua was told over and over when he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Do you ever feel like you need to hear those words? What about Jesus’ words to His disciples?

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

That is pretty serious. Deny Jesus and He will deny you before our Heavenly Father. Nope, I wouldn’t want that. To be denied before the Father would very likely mean no eternal home in Heaven. That is certainly something we don’t want to miss—an eternity without God. Nope. That is not for me. Do you have the courage to speak up for Jesus in public? This blog is “public” and I am publicly declaring that Jesus is the Son of God. He is God. He is my Savior. Do you feel the same? Similarly, you can publicly acknowledge Jesus by commenting below.

            What knowledge do we gain about Jesus from this Scripture passage today?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God—our Savior, protector, counselor, and friend. Please hear our prayers and recognize the depth of our love for You.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don't believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don't believe what God has testified about his Son. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Zucchini Time! Gardens are overflowing with zucchini at this time in late summer. Enjoy some of this bread soon.

 

Zucchini Bread

Mix:                                                                                            

3eggs

1 c. oil – use avocado or olive oil

1½ sugar – cane or substitute of choice

2 c. grated zucchini

2 tsp vanilla

 

Mix and add:

3 c. flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

3 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp baking powder

1 c. nuts and or craisins (optional)

Bake in 2 (9x5) loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pans while still warm and cool on a wire rack—if you can wait before you have a warm slice! Enjoy with coffee or a tall glass of cool milk.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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