Sunday 7 December, 2014

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, “Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the One I was talking about. I said, ‘A man who comes after me is more important than I am. That’s because he existed before I was born.’ 31 I did not know him. But God wants to make it clear to Israel who this person is. That’s the reason I came baptizing with water.” 32 Then John told them, “I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus. 33 I would not have known him. But the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen it happen. I give witness that this is the Son of God.”

What an amazing man John was! His honesty is obvious for even when he was questioned by the church leaders of his day he had no hesitation in setting the record straight. “I am not the Messiah!” The next day, when he saw Jesus walking towards him his prophetic insight prompted him to declare, “Look! There he is – the Lamb of God! He will take away the world’s sin.

John’s ministry was to prepare the people for the most significant event of history – the coming of the Kingdom of God among men.

Jesus’ ministry was to proclaim the Kingdom. No wonder John called Jesus “the Mighty One” and acknowledged his greatness and his pre-existence!

How exciting it was to see with his own eyes the Spirit descending on Jesus as he was baptised. John was so excited that he shouted, “This man is the Son of God!’’

John knew what his God-given role was. It was unique in God’s plan of salvation. The truth is that everyone of us has a unique role to perform, and we need to embrace that role with confidence, realising that God’ s anointing is on us.

John had no idea what would happen when God called him, but he was ready for whatever God wanted to do in and through him. The same applies to us, for we never know what is coming; but we can serve with expectation of God’s power in action to come in and through us.

Lord, we thank you for John’s faithfulness and his honesty. We pray that you will empower us daily to be people through whom Your Presence and Power will revealed in our world.

Written by Keith Bennett