SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:76-80
Here we see the difference between a prophet and a Messiah.
A prophet points the way, the Messiah makes the way.
John the Baptist was a prophet, showing people how to be saved, how to be forgiven.
Jesus is the Messiah, saving the people, accomplishing their forgiveness.
John knew this; when his followers complained about Jesus getting more followers than him, he said:
“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:28-30)
We are like prophets, pointing people to Jesus.
Our comfort, our popularity, our reputation, our success is not the main concern – Jesus is!
There is no greater joy for a Jesus-follower than to see Jesus praised, loved, promoted.
To my Muslim friends, who revere Jesus as a prophet, I say… ‘I love the fact that you revere Jesus, but joy for me is when you experience God’s love and mercy through Jesus as Saviour and Lord.’
He can be your joy too!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You must become greater. May I find my joy in advancing Your Name, and may more and more people discover and experience salvation and joy in You!
Observations/Application
John was Christ’s forerunner. He was to prepare the way and tell the people that He is here! And God prepared this child of His as he grew strong in the Spirit until the right time for His ministry – a prophet – proclaiming the good news of Christ Jesus.
God’s people today are also prophets. I too need to proclaim His Good News. As a parent, no greater joys there than that my children are walking with God. The same is true for the prophet. No greater joy is there than when the people are walking with their God. LightShine. SonShine. His Light needs to shine upon all who live in darkness so that they can walk in the Light. Our feet, my feet must be guided in the Way. I need to be a teller of the Way by what I do and say. That is the only way.
Prayer
Help me daily Lord to grow strong in You so that I can stand up for Jesus show others the Way – walking in the Light, being Your SonShine.
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.
Refrain:
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy,
His little one can be.
I will ask Jesus to help me
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.
I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus,
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live for Him on high.