Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
John 1:6-8
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The beginning of John 1 is perhaps one of the most epic passages in all of the Scripture. It speaks to the coming of Jesus Christ! God became man, so that man could have a relationship with God! Hallelujah! In the middle of the epic prologue lie verses 6-8 highlighting a man by the name of John the Baptist. He was a cousin of Jesus, who too was a miracle baby. His mother Elizabeth had not been able to be with child and now she along with her husband Zechariah were old. God used an angel to tell them they were going to have a child, and they had John the Baptist, who was set apart by God to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
Though John was a great man (Jesus called him the greatest born of woman in Matthew 11:11), he understood the reality that he was not Jesus. The way he lived his life was a testimony to that reality. He was not the light, he bore witness about the Light. He went and proclaimed the coming of Jesus and the call for all to repent and trust in Him.
In the same way friend, you and I have been called to “Go and Tell” of who Jesus is to the world. We are called to be witnesses of the greatness of Jesus, and call those who do not know him to repentance. We are called to go and tell it on the mountain the gospel of Jesus. Here is the thing though, in order to do that, like John we have to realize and understand that life is not about us. I believe that many times what hinders Christians from sharing the Gospel during the Christmas season stems from the fact that Christmas is about them instead of about Christ. Life is not about us, it is about Jesus, worshipping Him for who He is and what He has done, and sharing that with a lost and dying world.
This Christmas season, understand the reality that the story of Christmas is not all about you. It’s not about how many presents you get, or about Santa Claus. The story of Christmas is about Jesus Christ and His coming to earth to pay the punishment for our sins on the cross so that we could have life. The call for us is to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) for Him and to therefore “go and tell it on the mountain.” Who are you going to share the message of Jesus with this Christmas season? May we choose to be like John the Baptist today and testify about the Light of the World coming to Earth.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son! Help me to remember that is the true meaning of Christmas. Help me to be like John the Baptist during this season, to see that that the story of Christmas is not about me, it’s about the Messiah. Let that reality lead me to worship and to be a witness to those around me who do not know you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.