Monday’s Devotion: Someone You Don’t Know

John 1:24-27 Some of those who had been sent were Pharisees. They asked John, “Why do you baptize if you’re not the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Someone you don’t know is standing among you. He’s the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to untie his sandal strap.”

The NIV translation of verse 26 says “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.  The John 1 text that I used for my sermon was rich with many ideas.  I preached on John being the one who both pointed to Christ and reflected the light of Christ.  Yet one sentence by John stood out.  Among you stands one you do not know.  I thought of the truth of that today. I thought of the presence of the Holy Spirit moving among us – still the 3-in-one Godhead.  I thought about the difference this makes daily in my life and how poor my life would be if I didn’t know the one standing among us.  I want everyone to come to know this One.  Just telling them about Christ often isn’t enough, especially if they are going through one of life’s storms.
All I can do is to offer acceptance and encouragement and a listening ear.  In doing so I hope I am reflecting the light of Christ into the darkness they are struggling with.  God is love and we are loved.  No matter what the world may tell me or say of me, I hold to this one truth. 

Thank you, Lord for the gift of your presence among us.  Thank you for being the light in the darkness of our lives.  Help us to lean on you and our brothers and sisters in Christ and to help and love others as you help and love us.  Amen.