We see two approaches to life today. First, we see the religious leaders coming with questions to John. Who are you? What are you doing? Why are you doing it? What is all this about? Then, we see John and his approach to Jesus. We see him lift up Jesus, point to Jesus, and exactly Him. The first path is a path of cynicism, and the second path is a path of humility. I, along with many of you, may be cynical. And if we are not careful, that can come from and result in arrogance. Humility can lead us to true faith. Today, which path will we choose?

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this beautiful Wednesday morning as we continue our exploration of the Gospel of John. We’ve spent the last two days examining the first 18 verses, which beautifully introduce the incarnation and the nature of Jesus as the Word of God, the Logos. Today, we’ll start to see the real-world implications of this divine presence dwelling among us.

In this passage, we see John the Baptist’s role as the forerunner to Jesus, preparing the way and pointing people to the coming Messiah. John clearly understands his mission and identity, which he expresses with humility and clarity. When questioned by the priests and Levites, John makes it clear that he is not the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet, but rather “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,” quoting Isaiah 40:3. His mission is to prepare the way for the Lord.

The religious leaders approached John with a certain level of skepticism and curiosity, asking who he was and why he was baptizing. This skepticism reflects a broader theme in John’s Gospel: the contrast between those who approach Jesus with openness and those who approach with a closed, cynical mindset. The religious leaders often missed the divine work unfolding before them because they were more concerned with maintaining their own power and authority.

John, on the other hand, exhibits humility. He acknowledges that his baptism with water is a preparatory act, pointing to the One who is to come, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. This distinction between John’s baptism and the baptism that Jesus brings highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. While John’s baptism was a symbolic act of repentance, Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit offers a profound inward transformation.

John’s humility and clarity of purpose are further underscored when he sees Jesus and declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This recognition of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb points to Jesus’ mission of redemption and salvation. John’s testimony is a powerful proclamation of Jesus’ identity and mission.

A key takeaway from this passage is the importance of humility in our approach to faith. The religious leaders’ cynicism and arrogance blinded them to the truth of who Jesus was. In contrast, John’s humility allowed him to see and testify to Jesus’ true nature. As believers, we are called to approach our faith and our daily lives with humility, openness, and a willingness to see God at work, even in unexpected places.

For those of us who may struggle with cynicism, whether due to past hurts or disappointments, it’s important to strive for a humble heart. Cynicism can close us off from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace and truth. By contrast, humility opens us to the movement of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word.

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, let’s embrace a posture of humility and openness, allowing the light of Christ to shine into our hearts. May we, like John the Baptist, be faithful witnesses to the truth of Jesus Christ, and may we recognize the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow, we’ll delve deeper into John’s testimony and explore the unfolding story of Jesus’ ministry. Have a blessed day, and may we all strive to live with humility and openness to God’s work in our lives.