The testimony of John
To declare your steadfast love in the morning,
And your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:2
Read John 5:31—36
It has been good to learn, in fact it’s liberating to learn, that when I give praise to another it does not hurt me a bit. When I really honour someone else and acknowledge their worth I seem to be a little bit more honoured myself, as though I share in the light. John was like that. For John the focus, despite times of real doubt, was directed to Jesus and to the kingdom. Come to think of it, unless I had a special interest in ancient history I’m unlikely to have even heard of John were it not for Jesus. Further than that, unless I had Jewish friends, I’d likely not have known much of Isaiah or Jeremiah or Elijah. How conscious would I have been of Moses or Jacob or Abraham or even David? All have their moment of glory, their true significance, because they point to Jesus and somehow reflect his light. They’re fuller people because of him. Why not me?
Father, thank you that John pointed to Jesus. And that all the prophets, priests and kings and patriarchs before him did too, without knowing it. And that they’re all the greater for it, that they got their full meaning in life from the fact that he actually fulfils them. They don’t compete with him: rather he completes them. And so it is with me! As I rest at the end of this day let me rest before you in the truth of this. Let me bask in it. Lead my thoughts. Let my mind be filled with admiration for Jesus, dwell on his deeds, treasure his works, and adore his completed achievement, which — wonder of wonders — includes me.