John 1:19-28
The Jewish leaders sent priests and
assistant priests from Jerusalem to ask John whether he claimed to be the
Messiah. He denied it flatly. “I am not the Christ,” he said. “Well then, who
are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the
Prophet?” “No.” “Then who are you? Tell us, so we can give an answer to those
who sent us. What do you have to say for yourself?” He replied, “I am a voice
from the barren wilderness, shouting as Isaiah prophesied, ‘Get ready for the
coming of the Lord!’” Then those who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, “If
you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to
baptize?” John told them, “I merely baptize with water, but right here in
the crowd is someone you have never met, who will soon begin his ministry among
you, and I am not even fit to be his slave.” This incident took place at
Bethany, a village on the other side of the Jordan River where John was
baptizing.
Food for thought!
We are all in our first week of 2015. Starting from today's
gospel passage, and going step by step, day by day, we will follow Jesus’ first
week in the public life, just as we start ours in the new year. In today’s
reading we have the preparatory events of the first day.
Before Jesus there's always a someone, a John, telling the people to get ready for the coming of the king, for he is on the way. Jesus continues to be present even though many times unknown. That's why someone has to remind someone of the presence of Jesus.
John was that someone, pointing to Jesus. The last thing that John wanted men to do was to look at him and stop there; he wanted the people to see beyond him and see Jesus; he wanted to be an instrument of Jesus. He is the great example of the man and woman prepared to let Jesus lead. He was only, as he saw it, a finger pointing to Jesus. So as you go through your first week, remember to be another John the Baptist, promoting Jesus' interests, Jesus' principles.
John said something extremely important: "right here in the crowd is someone you have never met, who will soon begin his ministry among you." The plain truth is that many people have lost track of Jesus. In our homes, our neighbourhood, our place of work, our crowds, is someone you have never met, who will soon begin his ministry among you.
So, our first task and challenge of the new year is to find Jesus.
Before Jesus there's always a someone, a John, telling the people to get ready for the coming of the king, for he is on the way. Jesus continues to be present even though many times unknown. That's why someone has to remind someone of the presence of Jesus.
John was that someone, pointing to Jesus. The last thing that John wanted men to do was to look at him and stop there; he wanted the people to see beyond him and see Jesus; he wanted to be an instrument of Jesus. He is the great example of the man and woman prepared to let Jesus lead. He was only, as he saw it, a finger pointing to Jesus. So as you go through your first week, remember to be another John the Baptist, promoting Jesus' interests, Jesus' principles.
John said something extremely important: "right here in the crowd is someone you have never met, who will soon begin his ministry among you." The plain truth is that many people have lost track of Jesus. In our homes, our neighbourhood, our place of work, our crowds, is someone you have never met, who will soon begin his ministry among you.
So, our first task and challenge of the new year is to find Jesus.
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