Scripture:
John 1:6-8, 19-27) There was a man sent from God,
whose name was John.
He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe
through
him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the
Jews sent priests and Levites
from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny
it,
but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then?
Are
you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered,
"No."
Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those
who
sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of
one
crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as
the
prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They
asked
him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor
Elijah,
nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water.
Among
you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I
am
not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."
Prayer:
God, help us to avoid the mistakes of the
Pharisees. Jesus was standingamong
them but they had no idea who he was. Help us to be like John the
Baptist
. Help us recognize who Jesus is. May our words and actions
show others
that Jesus is the light of the world.
Amen