Reflections

Read John 1:1–2:11

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.
14. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:6-14

It is a valiant way to serve God. It does not bring any earthly reward, and the costs of serving are tremendous, emotionally and sometimes physically. This is the ministry of a soapbox preacher—one who stands in the middle of a college campus, for example, and proclaims the Word of God to sneering, mocking students. He is a modern-day John the Baptist—a lone voice crying in the wilderness.

At times, John the Baptist was probably treated like a soapbox preacher. But that did not dissuade him from completing his mission—to call the Jews to repentance, baptize Jesus, and introduce Jesus as the Messiah. As you read, learn from the courage and conviction of John the Baptist, and determine to introduce people to the Savior.

God sent John the Baptist to identify Jesus as God’s living light (John 1:8). Today, all Christians, like John the Baptist, serve to bring God’s light to the world. We are not the source of God’s light—we merely reflect it. Jesus Christ is the true Light. He helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that path. But Christ also has chosen to shine his light through his followers to an unbelieving world. As we reflect God’s moral excellence, our lives and words help guide others.

If you belong to Christ, your lifestyle, habits, words, and actions should reflect God’s goodness to the people around you. Take time today to examine your life carefully. Ask God to point out any area that does not reflect his goodness. Then ask for his grace and strength, to make the needed changes in your life and to brightly reflect his light.