12-4-13 John the Baptist

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) (John 1:6-8, 15)

Thoughts: John was not only Jesus cousin sent with a message of preparation and repentance.  John was sent primarily to testify to the light of lights- Jesus the Christ.  John was humble enough to not seek his own title or glory.  Rather, he sought the glory of God.  We would do well to learn from John's humility, and willingness to listen to God and repent of sin.  John was willing to decrease that Jesus would increase.  This too is a great example for us.  

Prayer: Lord, may your glory increase and may my glory decrease. May I humble myself and repent of my sin.  

Leonardo Da Vinci's John the Baptist (pointing to the cross)

Soliloquy of John on Christmas:
      The Messiah is coming.  We have been waiting for the One to show us the way to live, and the way to show us to heaven.  I believe I was made for this- to point to Him and to give myself to Him.  I will not let anything get in the way of that.
      My father was arrested and martyred when I was young by Herod.  I am not afraid to speak against him.  I am only afraid of not doing what I was sent here to do.  If I am silent or if I only try to elevate myself, then I have failed.  

Other verses: 

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:19-36)