A Devotion: Who Are You?
February 17, 2015—Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras. “Fat
Tuesday.” A time that we associate with
parties and parades and maybe just a touch of decadence. Perhaps a “safe” way to let loose one more
time before the austerity of Lent begins.
But perhaps it also can be a time for thanksgiving—of turning our hearts
and minds to the One who gives from His abundance. Let’s spend a few moments with God!
1.
Read:
John 1:19-28. This lesson tells
the story, from John the Evangelist’s point of view, of the ministry of John
the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus.
Today, let’s focus on the question that the Pharisees ask John in verse
19: “Who are you?”
2.
Reflect:
The
Pharisees sent some priests and Levites to investigate who John the Baptist
was. They asked John the question a
question that philosophers and theologians have asked for thousands of years
about people and about themselves. “Who
are you?”
The question is asked early in John to establish a theme that will be
carried throughout the Gospel. Who are
you? Or, more particularly, “Who is
Jesus?” Amy Jill-Levine points out that
John’s Gospel is reminiscent of a trial, with an interrogation focusing on the
identity of Jesus of Nazareth.[1]
Today, we find John the Baptist in the witness stand. Who are you?
Very quickly, John points away from himself so he can give testimony to
Someone else who is to follow him.
Someone so special that John feels unworthy to even untie his
shoes.
Who are you? We have lots of ways
to identify ourselves. We can use
political parties, places of birth, nationalities of our parents, relationships
to parents, siblings or children, religious affiliation, schools attended and
favorite sports teams to describe who we are.
Recent news reminds us that it can be risky to define who we are.
As
we prepare for our Lenten Journey with Jesus, how are you prepared to answer
the question, “Who are you?” How do you
define yourself? Are you able to look to
Jesus, the one whom the Epistle to the Hebrews describes as “the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right
hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)?
3.
Pray:
“Lord, I want to be a Christian...
Lord, I want to be more loving...
Lord, I want to be more holy….
Lord,
I want to be like Jesus in my heart.”[2]
Copyright © 2015 by Thomas E. Frost. All rights reserved.
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