Today’s Scripture: John 1:6-13
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Today’s Devotional
My dad was a high school football coach in an Oklahoma town where there was not much going on – at all. So, the football team was a pretty big deal – especially when they were winning. In other words, people knew my dad and therefore knew me.
I remember when my sister and I were young my dad telling us that because of his job (and small towns being what they are), the things we did would immediately get back to him. I think this was his way of saying that everyone in the community was watching us so don’t try to get away with anything. His eyes were literally everywhere! But that also meant that our actions were telling others about our family. I think he would have told us this even if he were not the high school football coach. Our actions tell the story of who we are and what we believe to be important. They reflect who we are and what we care about.
Our text today is about John the Baptist. John was not the light – but John was sent so that everyone might know about the light. His whole life was a testimony to the light. He was his own person of course – but his entire life reflected the light that was coming into the world.
The question this text asks of us is this: what story are your actions telling? What are you reflecting out into the world?
As disciples of Christ our daily actions should reflect the one we follow. This means that we are welcoming as Jesus welcomed. We forgive as Jesus forgave. We tell the truth, love those different than us, and seek justice where there is injustice. We reflect Jesus.
It’s a hard task – but if we all did it, what a different world it would be.
Today’s Prayer
God we want our lives to be a reflection of Christ. We want to be like John – a witness to the light. In these dark times may the light of Christ be reflected in us.
Amen
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