Daily Worship

The Signpost

Albert Bogle January 13, 2016 0 0

John 1: 35-39

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

The historians who have written about the 1st Century BC speak about a common  expectation that many people had of a Messiah that would free the Jewish nation from the occupation of the Romans. John the Baptist was seen as one such figure. He attracted literally thousands of people to hear him preach and he inspired them to make changes to their lives. He challenged them to make turn away from being self absorbed and begin to live in expectation of a new world order. He talked about a coming leader who would turn everything upside down. On one occasion he pointed Jesus out as the chosen one of God.  All over the world people are exploited living in fear, searching for an alternative way to live.
They too need people who are signposts pointing them to see Jesus in the everyday streets of Paris or Bagdad.

PRAYER

Lord,
Teach me how to be a signpost
A  silent witness
To your grace
Help me keep silent
In order that you can be heard
Help me stay in the background
So others can spend time in your presence.