Reflection for Thursday 18 March 2021

Reading : John 1:19-28

NOT WORTHY TO UNTIE HIS SHOES

From the very beginning of his ministry, John the Baptist pointed to Jesus.

We read in Luke’s gospel that John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice.

Luke tells us that before John’s birth he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

John was able to recognise Jesus as the Messiah well before Jesus began his own public ministry.

John knew his role as the one who was to prepare the way for Jesus and he always pointed away from himself and always toward the Saviour.

“Look,” he said, “There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”

And so, we can imagine how he felt the day he saw the Lamb appearing before him asking to be baptised.

He was immediately humbled and said to Jesus “It is I who should be baptised by you”

Jesus would have none of this however, and John Baptised his Lord in the River Jordan.

John would go on to speak of Jesus. Telling those who gathered to hear him, that the One who stood in their midst, was greater than he, and whose sandals he was not fit to untie.

John’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus, and he fulfilled that calling, even unto death.

We are not called to be John the Baptist, but we are called to bear witness to our Lord and to point others to him.

POINTS TO PONDER

1 What is your God given purpose?

2 How are you preparing yourself and others to welcome Jesus?

PRAYER

God of glory and majesty, you alone are holy and worthy of our praise.

You sent Jesus to save, to teach us your will, to reveal your love.

Forgive us when we fail to point to our Saviour, when we forget our role in the ushering in of your kingdom.

Convict us of your purpose for us and send your Spirit to enable us to fulfill it boldly.

Amen.