Tuesday 12th December
Read John 1:6-8
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” (NIVUK)
We all know this man as John the Baptist. He was clearly known as John the Baptist in the early church also. All the other gospels describe him as John the Baptist. One wonders why he is simply referred to as John?
Perhaps for the author of this gospel the fact that he baptised people is not the most important thing about him. The most important thing is that he was ‘sent from God’. He was a prophet first, who just happened to baptise. He was sent as a witness to Jesus and that is why he is mentioned, with a simple name, so early in this gospel.
How will we be remembered? Who will remember our name? Who will hold it close?
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17) (NIVUK)
