Testify

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32 And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One." 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:32-37)

John the baptizer didn't just witness the heavens opening and the Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus, he told everyone. Every chance meeting, every encounter, was an opportunity to tell what he'd witnessed and what it meant. When the baptizer was questioned by religious leaders who wanted to know if he claimed to be the messiah, without hesitation John said that he was only preparing the way for one greater. Then, once he saw creation testify to Jesus, and he heard confirmation from God, John pointed everyone to Jesus - calling him the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (v. 29). John was so convinced that he sent his own disciples

to follow Jesus.

Today so many people are invested in gaining as many followers on social media as possible. But to what or to whom are we leading those who follow us? John did not stop speaking truth to power or preaching repentance. He simply understood that he was the opening act, not the main event - he was preparing hearts and minds to receive the One they'd all been waiting for even if they didn't know it. Similarly, whatever good works we do, whatever platform we build, our main role is to point people to Jesus. We can do this through our testimony of who Jesus is and what that relationship means to us. If all of us who claim Jesus as savior allowed the pattern of our lives - words, actions, attitudes - to join all of creation in testifying about the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, what a wonderfully different world this would be.

7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 11 Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. (Psalm 40:7-11)