READING: Ezekiel 1-3, John 1
It’s hard to read these words in today’s New Testament reading without thinking about our responsibility to tell others about Jesus:
- “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.” (John 1:6-8)
- “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)
- “The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’” (John 1:35-36)
There is so much here we need to remember today. First, we are not the Messiah. No matter how significant we might think we are, Christ remains central. Second, our responsibility is to testify about Christ. We who now live in the light are to point others to Christ, who is the light come into the world. Third, we must point to what Jesus did for us: take away the sin of the world. Not speaking of forgiveness through Jesus would seem to be a strange silence for those of us who’ve ourselves been forgiven. Finally, we get to raise up disciples of Christ – not disciples of us. True, those we’re discipling walk beside us and watch us; however, we’re to walk with Christ with such fervor that we can say with Paul, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1).
The story is never about us.
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lamb of God, for taking away my sin. .”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2