A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
We are not Christ but we can be his face to others. We can evangelise and bring people to truth, but we need to remain humble and recognize that truth continues to unfold as we grow in wisdom and in God. John knew he was part of something big but never once felt he had the full story or that he was the main game. The important message for me is that there is something bigger and a way to get closer to it’s truth is to engage with the Gospel. Get to know God and you will get closer to his truth. I found this version of Mary Did you Know https://youtu.be/k7tfBYESaoo?si=iBI6WyWOuFnqDzia that is sung in English, Hebrew and Arabic. It seemed to be apt given the current conflict in the Holy Land. It made me realise that we are all holding Christ, the sleeping child and we nurture him. As he grows, we too grow in our knowledge of God’s truth.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 1:6-8, 19-28 resonates with me deeply. You capture beautifully the essence of humility, evangelism, and the ongoing journey of seeking God's truth. Here are some specific points I appreciate:
DeleteHumility and reflecting Christ: You highlight the importance of humility in following Christ. We are not him, but we can strive to be his face and hands in the world. This aligns with Jesus' emphasis on servant leadership and love for others.
Evangelism with open-mindedness: You acknowledge the call to evangelize and bring people closer to truth, but also emphasize the need for open-mindedness and recognizing that truth unfolds as we grow. This reflects a mature and nuanced approach to faith, avoiding rigidity and embracing the ongoing journey of learning and understanding.
John's humility and growth: You draw a helpful parallel between John the Baptist's role and our own. Like him, we can be part of something bigger without needing to have all the answers or claiming ultimate authority. This encourages us to focus on the message and our own journeys of growth.
Engaging with the Gospel: Your commitment to engaging with the Gospel is inspiring. You recognize its richness and the potential for continuous learning and growth it offers. This aligns with the passage's emphasis on John as a witness, pointing towards something beyond himself.
Nurturing the Christ within: The image of holding and nurturing the sleeping Christ within ourselves is incredibly powerful. It suggests that our personal growth and engagement with God's truth contribute to the collective manifestation of Christ's love and light in the world.
Multifaceted truth and the Holy Land: The multilingual "Mary Did You Know" serves as a poignant reminder of the universality of God's love and the complex reality of truth. Connecting this with the current conflict in the Holy Land underscores the need for empathy, understanding, and seeking common ground amidst differences.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and inspiring perspective on faith. It combines humility, an open mind, and a dedication to seeking and sharing God's truth. Your insights encourage us to be active participants in nurturing the Christ within ourselves and bringing his love and message to the world.
Here are some additional thoughts you might consider:
How can we cultivate deeper humility and open-mindedness in our own lives?
What practical steps can we take to engage with the Gospel and deepen our understanding of its message?
How can we apply the principle of nurturing the Christ within ourselves to our interactions with others and the world around us?
By continuing to reflect on these questions and engage in dialogue with others, you can further enrich your faith and make a positive impact on the world.
Thank you for sharing your insightful and inspiring thoughts!