Read:
In today’s reading, we see John the Baptist. This isn’t the same John that wrote the book we’re reading; this is Jesus’ distant cousin. John is called the Baptist because he traveled Israel, telling people to turn back to God. When they did, he baptized them in the river. He also baptized Jesus. When John baptized Jesus, he witnessed the Holy Spirit come down and remain on Jesus.
John the Baptist is talking to the people who are listening to his message to turn back to God. His mission was to remind the people of Israel what the prophets told them long ago: God will send a Savior. Now he says, “Here he is!”
Jesus is the Chosen One spoken of in Isaiah 42. And in Isaiah 62, we learn what this Chosen One will come to do: proclaim the good news of salvation to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, and free those who are captive to sin. Lives are changed because of the Chosen One.
That’s what Jesus came to do! John the Baptist was telling the people in front of him, “Here he is! Jesus is the one we’ve been waiting for!” We don’t have to wait anymore. Jesus died to take away our sin and rose again to give us eternal life. Will you believe that today and become a life changed by Christ?
Pray: Dear God, I hear this good news, and I believe! Will you change me from the inside out? Amen.