2 January

I. Reading: 1John 2:22-28: Keep alive in yourself what you were taught in the beginning.

Gospel: John 1:19-28: One is coming after me who existed before me.

Jesus the Messiah, the Lord: The Second Witness of John the Baptist:

The witness of John the Baptist is a dynamic example of every servant of God.

1.     John was questioned by religionists who were suspicious of him.

2.     He was a man who knew who he was.

a.     He was not the Christ

b.    He was not Elijah

c.      He was not “the prophet”

3.     He was only a voice-only a forerunner for the Lord.

4.     He was a baptizer

a.     The questioners were the Pharisees

b.    They questioned John’s right to baptize

5.     He was an unworthy servant.

6.     He was a man who brought honour to a place.

Thought: A servant of God who is faithful in his witness and ministry like John will bring honour to a place. In God’s eyes a place is honoured because believers are there (Genesis 18: 16f).

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