John’s Testimony

by Diane Ward

John 1:19-28   

John’s transparent humanity, his passion and his vulnerability draw me to him. John is a man who knows who he is. He knows when to lead the way and when to step back and follow.  His dramatic preaching attracts much attention, but he directs it away from himself.  He knows who he is – the bridegroom rolling out the sacred carpet for the Messiah, preparing the way for his coming.  He is not the Messiah nor will he admit being the predicted second Elijah! (Malachi 4:5) “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His sandals I am not worthy to untie. (John 1:27 and 29)

From the time the unborn John startled his mother Elizabeth with a jolt his testimony had begun.  Now at the river Jordan John is testifying that Jesus is the anointed one, the sacrifice for our sin. All three persons of the Trinity are involved; the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove, (as had been revealed to John by the Holy Spirit.)

In the clutches of Israel’s tyrant King Herod John is imprisoned for calling him out as an adulterous law breaker. John, the man who knows who he is while facing execution, requires an answer to a gut-wrenching question. He sends his disciples to ask Jesus “are you he “the anointed one” that has come, or should we expect another?” Jesus answers, “go and tell John what you see and hear. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. The dead are raised, and the poor have glad tidings peached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion of stumbling in me.  (Matthew 11:4-5)

When my heart is broken and my faith is tested, Holy Spirit – “Tell Diane to remember the miracles she has witnessed, the unexpected milestones of mercy and grace, of my unfailing love and abiding presence.”