I’m not Jesus.
That might seem like a strange statement
to start out a devotion on John 1 with, but it matches how John the Baptist
started his testimony regarding Jesus, “I am not the Christ.” He was clear that
he was not the savior who had come into the world, but he was the forerunner –
one who prepares the way for the Lord. He pointed his followers to Jesus
saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” And He
testified that Jesus is the Son of God.
We fill a similar role, but on a
different point in the salvation story. We are those who have believe that the
Word, Who was with and is God, dwelt among us and we have seen His glory and
beheld that He is full of grace and truth. We have experienced that Jesus is
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world because He died and rose to
atone for our iniquities. And we point others to Jesus, like a forerunner, to
testify, “come and see,” what God has revealed, the light that shines in the
darkness, the One from the Father, the Word, Jesus.
Jesus is the Word-Made-Flesh, and He is
our focus – just as He was for John the Baptist, John the Apostle, Andrew,
Peter, Philip and Nathaniel. Our faith and hope are about Him. So we can
rightly paraphrase a variety of Christian leaders and say, “It’s not about us.”
Our flesh often wants to put the focus
on us, though. We want to be recognized – even if it as being good at pointing
people to Jesus. We want to be celebrated. But here is the reality: You are celebrated.
Jesus’ words to Nathaniel carry a sense
of joy, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” He is
celebrating as He welcomes Nathaniel. As Nathaniel is focused on Jesus, Jesus
is focused on Nathaniel, and Jesus celebrates in him. And the same is true for
you. Jesus celebrates when people here His Word and are drawn to come and see. He
looks at us with clear eyes and says, “Behold, an Ohioan, a man, a woman, a
child, a whatever you are …” Indeed,
He sees us and knows, behold, here stands a sinner who is in need of
forgiveness, and our eyes are directed to something marvelous as we look to
Jesus.
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world!
Lord Jesus, help me to focus on You and to
point others to You. Amen.
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