John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ
[19] Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of 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 Christ. ” [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 desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” [24] Now some Pharisees who had been sent [25] questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, 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 thongs 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.
It is these words of John the Baptist that most speak to me today:
“I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”
John knew that he was in the desert, in a place baron of faith, love, fairness and acceptance. It can feel the same in today's world, that as Christians we fight against the societal norms.
John was making the way straight and ready for Jesus. So we are tasked with the same job; to make the way to finding Jesus straight for all and to ensure the world is as straight as possible.
Jesus we today reflect in awe on John's ministry, making the world ready for you. As we help people find you we ask for help straightening the way in the world. Amen
It's hard at times to stand up for our faith when it feels like everyone around us has none or just doesn't want the responsibility of one. I'm loving your project 366 gospel and will be following.
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