“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…
“John confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.”‘
“‘I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him…” He must increase, but I must decrease.’” John 1:6-9,14,20-23,29-30; 3:28,30
Pinky red flushes the rough streaked clouds into flame, then, in a matter of moments, disappears. It’s as though it makes a flourish announcing the new day, then steps back to let the gentle morning ease into place. Just so do we present Jesus in the fanfare of His resplendent beauty, then move to the background and let His constancy, His immutable character, take over. How quaint, and how important, the role of the introduction.
In our present day, a growing number have no biblical background, no reference point for belief in the inerrant and personal Almighty. While a person’s inclination may be spiritual, it is often ungrounded. Beliefs get tethered to shifting feelings or ever-changing propositions, and slip and slide as the days or years go by. We have a vital role in presenting Jesus, who was and is and is to come, the Holy One from everlasting to everlasting. We think and live distinctly from the world, and we speak for Him, then let Him prove His identity. (Psalm 90:1-2; 146:6,10; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Hebrews 13:8; 2 Corinthians 6:17)
Each day brings opportunities to pull back the curtain on Jesus, to give the reason for our hope, to reflect His joy, peace, and serenity, and explain their Source. Do we seize each chance? We always present Jesus, whether intentionally or not. Would we deliberately consider how to make Him known? (Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 3:15)
Do we smother His image with self and personal interpretations, muddying His clear, free living water with a false works gospel or prosperity message? Do we shy away from speaking at all, self-conscious that we’re not eloquent or scholarly? God calls us to speak truth in love, to present Jesus unadorned, and what He’s done for us cannot be refuted. How, how often, and to whom are we introducing our Savior?
Lord Jesus, may all I do and say present You in Your glorious splendor. Keep me in the background, that You are seen, known, and adored.
As the rain and snow 