John the Baptist always seems to show up as the unexpected guest. We go to the gospels for a word about Jesus and John shows up right there at the beginning. And, each year as we come to the beginning of the Advent season and begin to set our sights on the shepherds and the angels, he comes walking in with locust breath that spews out words about repenting. His appearance in the Prologue of the gospel of John is not something anyone would expect. Our spiritual senses have been filled with the language and images of those first words and, then, suddenly we are thrown into a river setting where our physical senses are overwhelmed by the smell of camel clothing.
Of course, there is an obvious connection being made as the Apostle finishes verse five writing about the "light shining in the darkness" and the following words which speak of John the Baptist as one who bears witness to the light. "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through Him." (John 1:6-7). The Apostle John makes a few things clear. John the Baptist was sent from God. He was not the Word, but a man. And, finally his mission is to point people to the Word (Jesus).
John the Baptist is always a character worthy of reflection. He was a shadow dweller. There may have been a moment when he first appeared at the Jordan when it seemed that he was at the center of what God was about to do, but as soon as he saw Jesus, he immediately stepped into the shadows so that the "Light of the World" could step onto center stage. At this moment in history, God was about to do an unbelievable thing. John understood and was intent on staying faithful, but out of the way. Surely, the Baptizer's life preaches a message to us telling us that the mission is more important than the messenger.
Of course, there is an obvious connection being made as the Apostle finishes verse five writing about the "light shining in the darkness" and the following words which speak of John the Baptist as one who bears witness to the light. "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through Him." (John 1:6-7). The Apostle John makes a few things clear. John the Baptist was sent from God. He was not the Word, but a man. And, finally his mission is to point people to the Word (Jesus).
John the Baptist is always a character worthy of reflection. He was a shadow dweller. There may have been a moment when he first appeared at the Jordan when it seemed that he was at the center of what God was about to do, but as soon as he saw Jesus, he immediately stepped into the shadows so that the "Light of the World" could step onto center stage. At this moment in history, God was about to do an unbelievable thing. John understood and was intent on staying faithful, but out of the way. Surely, the Baptizer's life preaches a message to us telling us that the mission is more important than the messenger.
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