“John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”’” John 1:15
Though John was born several months before Jesus and began his ministry before Jesus, John said Jesus was preferred before him and was before him because Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and blood and became true man that He might redeem fallen mankind.
Grant that I point people to You, O Lord, for You are the eternal Son of God and the only Savior of the world. Amen.
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:3-4
As children of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that the true God who created us in our mothers’ wombs, brought us to faith in Christ Jesus and His cross, and has carried and sustained us throughout our lives will continue to carry us and watch over us even in old age, preserving us in the faith unto life everlasting.
Thank You, O God, for calling us to repentance and faith in Your promises for the sake of Christ Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, and for preserving us throughout our earthly lives and keeping us in the true faith unto life everlasting. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
We receive the right and privilege to become children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Gal. 3:26ff.), but even that faith by which we receive and take hold of Christ and the blessings of forgiveness and life eternal He won for us on the cross is not of our will or choosing. It is a rebirth worked in us by God the Holy Spirit through hearing the Gospel message and being baptized in Jesus’ name.
Thank You, O gracious God, for making me Your child through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
“That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:9-11
It is a sad truth that Jesus made the world and gave life to all, yet people do not know Him or trust Him as their God and Life-giver! Even His own people — including the religious leaders of Israel — did not accept Him as the Son of God and their Messiah and Savior! What about you today?
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I hear Your Word and believe You created me and gave me life. You are the true Light. You reveal to me my utter sinfulness and Your judgment against sin, and You reveal to me that there is forgiveness and life through faith in Your name. Grant that I repent of my sinful ways and trust You as my Savior. Amen.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” John 1:6-8
John the Baptist came to point people to the One who is the Light and Life of the world so that all might believe in Him (Jesus Christ). Note that John was not the Light but was sent to tell people of the Light. In the same way, pastors and churches are not the Light but are to point people to Jesus Christ, the Light who gives life to the world.
O Jesus Christ, my Life and the only Light of the world, grant that I hear Your Word and look to You and Your cross in faith for pardon, forgiveness, and life eternal. Amen.
