Day 1 of the 21 Day Challenge

Well here is the first post of our 21 Day Challenge at EGCC. We are reading one chapter of John a day, for 21 days. For each chapter, we reflect on the same 4 questions and write a prayer. Here are some of my thoughts in reflection

What did I learn about Christ in this passage?

He is the Son of God, He is the Word, He is from the beginning. He was with God, always. Jesus is the Lamb of God, he takes away the sins of all the world. In his fullness we have received grace upon grace….

What did I learn about Godliness?

John the Baptist gives us a wonderful window into true godliness. Amidst the interrogation for who he was, be it a prophet or Elijah, he tells them he’s a nobody, unworthy of the one who follow after him. He says, “even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 1:27 John the Baptist’s confession of unworthiness is a model for us all. Jesus is one to be loved and honored. Godliness is a God-honoring manner of life. A part of honoring God is realizing full well our place in his grandiose plan. John didn’t presume that his significant and important role in preparing the way for Christ somehow made him worthy to untie his masters sandals. An attitude of Godliness is humility, and we have it here, modeled for us in John the Baptist.

How does it apply to our world?

As for application to our world, there is much to be offered. No verse stands out more than John’s announcement in verse 29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”

1 John 2:2 reads “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

And 1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

We have, for us, a Savior. His name is Jesus. He is, and was, from the very beginning: “He was in the beginning with God.” 1:2

The application for our world is quite simple really; Jesus is the redeemer of the world. Certainly the world needs to hear that message, and get a taste of it from the Church.

How does it apply to my life?

Sometimes my pride can get the better of me. Sometimes I can get into a position of importance or authority and believe that I am somehow better than someone else. John the Baptist doesn’t appear to fall into this temptation at all with his response to the interrogators. His response was beyond just self-deprecation; it was Christ-realization. His response shows his faith in the one to come, knowing and believing Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God. I need the constant reminder of who I am, and who Christ is, “He was from the beginning, with God.” God created me and Jesus partnered with Him in creation. If that doesn’t put my attitude in correct order, I don’t know what will. Later we will see John the Baptist say, “I must decrease, He must increase.” The application for me today is to simply remember my own unworthiness. “And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (verse 16)

Prayer from the Scripture:

Heavenly Father, thank your for your Son. He is truly the Lamb of God, and for that I am eternally grateful and give you praise. Thank you for the ministry of John the Baptist, who in humility points me to the true Savior, Jesus Christ. May my life reflect that same humility and confession of unworthiness. May I decrease, and the glory and ministry of your Son, Jesus Christ, Increase. In His wonderful name, Amen.