John 1:29-41—Called to Witness –
Witnessing to Christ as the Messiah
Witnessing
to Christ as the Messiah. John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as
the Son of God. This is the closest John comes to reporting the baptism of
Jesus. As Jesus comes to him, John the Baptist hails Him as the Lamb of God. He
reports seeing the dove of the Spirit coming upon Jesus at the baptism. John
confesses that Jesus is greater than he is because Jesus baptizes with the
Spirit while he baptizes only with water. Out of this personal experience John the Baptist declares
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The Epiphany theme comes to
the forefront in today’s Gospel. John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as the
Messiah. Here is a revelation coming forth: this simple peasant from Nazareth
is understood as Son of God, the promised Deliverer, Savior. When we deal with
Jesus, we are dealing with God.
Every single person who claims the
name Christian will be active living and sharing his or her faith in Christ. The
LORD still uses people to be His instruments. They are midwives to re-born
babes in Christ. Ananias was used to bring Paul in to the Church. Philip was
used to win the Ethiopian eunuch. God used Staupitz to help Luther find the way
to grace. Parents today are used of God to bring their children to Christ
through Baptism and instruction. May the LORD use you to be an instrument of
His grace and mercy.
Almighty
and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully
hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [2]
Collect for Friday of the week of
Epiohany1: Thou wouldst have us ask of Thee, O
God, whatsoever we will. Above all else, we ask of Thee Thyself, Thou who hast
never yet lost hope for any one of us, though Thou knowest us altogether. Seal
upon us the image of him whom we worship. Gather up all our doubts and
uncertainties into the meaning, which Thou alone canst give to our lives. Make
perfect in our weakness strength, and in the midst of all our anxiety bestow
upon us that costly peace of Thine which can be ours only as thy will becomes
our will. In Jesus’ name. Amen [3]
-13 January 2023
[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for the Friday of the week of Epiphany 1, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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