Saturday
25 April
John 1:19-28
John's Witness
How do you define or describe yourself? baptism was different from the one who was to come, the one, he proclaimed, When I was a child, I wanted every- “who takes away the sin of the world!” one’s attention. What made me so annoy- (verse 29). John was a way-maker. Once the Mesing was that I would do anything to garner it. To a certain degree, a lot of children siah appeared on the scene, it was time are like that. Perhaps you were like that. for him to exit out of the limelight and As we grow into adulthood, it is easy allow Christ to take center stage. It was to maintain that mentality, especially if time for his ministry to cease, so that the we have careers that naturally put us in ministry of Jesus could flourish. Those the limelight. John the Baptist had just who had been attracted to John’s messuch a career, one that caused him to sage now needed to turn their attention attract a lot of attention. That was what and loyalty to Jesus and follow him. he needed to do. He was “a voice cry- John essentially pointed to Christ and ing out in the wilderness, [Making] the said, “Don’t look at me. Look at him.” Such humility is inspiring. We may at Lord’s path straight” (John 1:23). He times want the attention of others and was preparing the way for Jesus. The response of people to John’s call enjoy being in the limelight. We can all to repentance and baptism was great, as be self-centered. When our positions or we learn from other Gospel accounts. careers naturally put us in the limelight, So great, in fact, that the Jewish lead- it can be easy to expect that attention all ers became concerned and demanded to the time. John’s example in this passage, however, challenges us. Will we point to know, “Who are you?” (verse 19). John was clear in his response: “I’m Christ? In all that we do, will we turn not the Christ” (verse 20). But the priests the gazes of others toward Christ? How and Levites questioning him wanted do we live in such a way that others see answers. “Then who are you? Are you Christ, not us? Elijah? . . . Are you the prophet? . . . Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (verses 21, 22). John was none of these people, but he knew clearly who he was and what God had called him to do. He was merely the one who was preparing the way for the Messiah. Then why do you baptize people “if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Lord, remind me of who I am and who prophet?” the priests and Levites further you want me to be. Use me to point othchallenged him. John explained that his ers to you. Amen. 66
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DAILY BIBLE STUDY
10/9/19 10:21 AM