John 1:6–8, 19–28 (NRSV)
Read John 1:6–8, 19–28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Verse 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Verse 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
Verse 19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" Verse 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." Verse 21And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Verse 22Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" Verse 23He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Verse 24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. Verse 25They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" Verse 26John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, Verse 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." Verse 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Devotion
I wonder what feelings bubble up in your body, mind, or spirit when you hear the word “testimony.” Perhaps you think of a street preacher yelling something like “repent now or else!” Or maybe you recall an old confirmation assignment that required you to confess your faith in order to “pass confirmation.” Or perhaps your community regularly practices sharing faith stories, or testimonies, to bear witness to God’s grace and love in the world.
Regardless, whether the word testimony brings forth good or queasy feelings in you, the Gospel of John here reminds us that we, like John the Baptist, are called to bear witness to Christ in the world. To be truth tellers. To testify about why we continue to follow Jesus in a world where so often brokenness, violence, and death get the last word. What story do you have to tell? What testimony is burning in your heart and is ready to be told?
Prayer
Jesus, Light of the World, give us eyes to see you, ears to hear you, and words and lives that testify to your life-saving love in the world. Amen.