Christian Reflection and Prayer

December 27, 2013

Scripture:

Read Matthew 3:1-17. TEXT: John bore witness about Him
and cried out, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes
after me ranks before me, because He was before me'"
(John 1:15).

It's been another long Christmas season and you may be
ready to put away the decorations for another year. But
before you pack up the manger scene, first stop and take a
long look at that baby. What did He look like in the flesh?
His divinity was so completely hidden within His human body
most would have passed by without giving Him a second
glance. But encountering John the Baptist would have been
a completely different story.

"John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt
around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey"
(see Matthew 3:4). The fiery wilderness prophet warned the
people of Israel to turn from their sins and be baptized
because the Kingdom of God was at hand. John stirred up
so much excitement that people began wondering if he was
the promised Christ.

John immediately put that question to rest, "He who comes
after me ranks before me, because He was before me"
(see John 1:30). Yes, John may have been born six months
before Jesus and began his ministry first, but Jesus definitely
ranked supreme. John adds, "He ranks before me because
He was before me." 

The Baptist's words line up perfectly with what the apostle
John has been writing all along. Jesus of Nazareth is no
mere human. He is the only-begotten Son of God who has
existed from eternity. Now He dwells among us in human
flesh.

THE PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, thank You for raising up John the Baptist
to witness to Your Son Jesus, our Savior. Give me courage
and wisdom to share with my friends, family and neighbors
all that Jesus has done for our salvation. In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)