READING: Ezekiel 13-15, Psalm 136, John 5
John the Baptist was not the light, but he pointed to the light. He was the forerunner to the Messiah, not the Messiah. His witness about Christ was a “burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35), meaning that God had lit his fire to pave the way for the Redeemer. Even his light was not of himself, however; it was the work of God.
Some of the Jews, in fact, listened to him. They heard the wilderness preacher and paid attention to his words—but, according to Jesus, they did so only “for a while.” Whatever commitment they made was hardly genuine. It was instead only short-lived and temporary.
Jesus was referring to non-believers in this case (see John 5:40), but I cannot fail to ask if my commitments to Christ have also been “for a while” in some cases. Does my track record ever show I made some commitment, but only for a short time? I consider the question, don’t always like my answer, and thank God for His patient forgiveness.
PRAYER: “God, I give myself fully to You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Ezekiel 16-18, John 6
