John 1:6-8

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.

John was determined to help people to see that Jesus, and only Jesus, is the Light of the World. John the Baptist had a really important part to play, but he wasn’t the light. He simply prepared people to meet with Jesus. John wanted his readers to make sure that they were only looking for life’s meaning and purpose in Jesus.

There is a traditional story from the Middle East which I have always loved. It tells of a man hunting for something in the middle of a dusty road. A stranger approached him and asked what he was looking for. “I’m looking for my key,” replied the man. “Where did you lose it?” asked the stranger. “Oh,” the man replied: “I lost it in my house.” The stranger looked puzzled and asked: “So if you lost it in your house, why are you looking for it here in the middle of the road?” The man replied, “Because there is more light out here.” This sums up what is happening in our society. People want to find meaning and purpose for their lives, but they are looking in the wrong place. They need to look to Jesus and find the true light that he came to bring.

The role of John the Baptist was crucial, and his task was not to draw attention to himself but to point to Jesus. John couldn’t save people from their sins or give people eternal life, but he knew a man who could, and his ministry was focused on helping people to meet and follow him. Our role is similar to that of John the Baptist. We are never called to draw attention to ourselves, as if we have the answers to people’s needs. Our task is to point to Jesus so they can find new life in him.

Question

Where do you think people look to find meaning and purpose in their lives?

Prayer

Lord God, I thank you for all those people who have helped me to meet Jesus. Help me to be faithful in supporting others to follow him. Amen