Listen

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.”

John 1:29-34

Think

I had only been living in Minneapolis a few months when I was in the parking lot of a Costco making my way into the store and heard from my side, “HEY! Sarah!” I turned to find one of the few people I had met in the city across the way. We chatted for a few moments and went about our separate plans, but it reminded me of the importance of connection. I felt seen and known in a city that still felt very strange to me in just that brief chance meeting.

In this encounter between John and Jesus, we experience the connection these two have. By his calling Jesus out, John helps to reveal Jesus so that he could be known by others. In these first public encounters, John gives praise to God with his words.

Consider how you might help others be seen and understood and known today.

Sarah Karber

Pray

Gracious Spirit, help me to see you and to know you more clearly so that I may see your face in everyone around me. Please help me to remember the importance of calling out to friends and strangers to provide support. Amen.

Go

Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 5:19