A Lenten Devotion: John's Testimony (February 19, 2015)

A Lenten Devotion:  John's Testimony

John 1:29-34

February 19, 2015

As we noted on Tuesday, the Gospel of John has some legal overtones--with various witnesses testifying to the identity of Jesus of Nazareth.  Today, we read the testimony of John the Baptist.  (Note that we are referring to two separate people named John--John the Baptist is different that John the Evangelist, for whom the Gospel is named.)

John the Evangelist quotes John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus.  "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him ...  And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."  (John 1:33, 34)

In our Lenten Journey with Jesus, what can you testify concerning Jesus?  We don't have the physical presence of Jesus among us.  But if you don't think you have much to testify to, consider these questions:

• Can you give witness to One who has given you a sense of meaning and purpose in your life?
• Can you give witness to One who has given you a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong, and a sense of what it means to live in peaceful relations with those around you?
• Can you give witness to One who has loved you even when you did not deserve to be loved?  Who, although you cannot fully understand it, has brought you assurance that God has forgiven your brokenness and wants to change your life?
• Can you give witness to One who has remained at your side through sickness and health, through life and death, through joy and sorrow?
• Can you give witness to One who invites you to love God with all your entire being and to love your neighbor as yourself?

You may wonder if that is a special enough witness.  Can you imagine, though, how different our world could be if everyone could witness to Jesus' presence in their lives in these ways!  What a difference it would make if all of us could exclaim, with John the Baptist, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  (John 1:29).  

We have good news that can change the world!  Let's share the news!

Pray:  "I want my world to know; the Lord of love has come to me.  I want to pass it on."  

(Kurt Kaiser, "Pass It On," Copyright (c) 1969 by Communique Music, Inc.  Reprinted in The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville:  The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989), 572)