3 December 2016

John 1: 19-23

Who are you? Who am I? Are you for real? Has anybody asked you these questions? Have you asked yourself?

I never seem to have the answer, but John the Baptist clearly knew the answers when these questions were thrown at him.

John was drawing crowds as he traveled and preached. Maybe it was his message. Maybe it was his “different” way of dressing and eating. Maybe it was both. The Sanhedrin had to investigate. His popularity made them nervous. He was rocking the boat.

“I am not the Messiah.” Clearly.

“I am not Elijah.” Right.

“I am the voice crying out in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Wow. As I reflect on the sermon series, “Conspiracy of Kindness”, and I think about what Christmas really is…not my birthday, but the day that the Christ came and walked here with us, it focuses my attention on the questions asked of John and what should cause people to ask who I am.

I should be the embodiment of Christ qualities- love, acceptance, service, humility, encouragement. So obviously should I exemplify these characteristics that people  ask, “ Who ARE you?” “Are you for REAL?”

We are each called, in some meaningful way. To love, to accept, to serve, to encourage. To BE so different, that people ask, “Who ARE you?”

We are servants to the One who is here and for whom we now prepare. The wilderness is all around us. Let us pave a path to Him for all those who may be lost.