Key Thought

John the Baptist was an incredible man. He was a prophet, inspired by God's Spirit. He spoke with an authority and authenticity previously long silent among God's people. He courageously declared the truth to everyone no matter that person's rank and no matter his own personal cost.
But ... John was only a witness to God's Light. And as important as John may have been, his importance was as a servant to the Light -- God's real Message and only Son. John freely testified to this. He knew his role. He refused to be a point of contention. He is a great example to us of what we can and should be to our loved ones and friends -- a witness, someone who points others to the truth and light of Jesus.

Today's Prayer

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Thank you, Heavenly Father, for John the Baptist. Thank you for such a powerful example and such a wonderful person of integrity. Please use me to point those in my influence to the truth about Jesus as I seek to live with integrity before them. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was there with God. The Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. All things were made through him (the Word). Nothing was made without him. In him there was life. That life was light (understanding, goodness) for the people of the world. The Light shines in the darkness. The darkness has not defeated the Light. There was a man named John. He was sent by God. John came to tell people about the Light (Christ). Through John all people could {hear about the Light and} believe. John was not the Light. But John came to tell people about the Light. The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people. The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him. But the world (people) did not know him. He came to the world that was his own. But his own people did not accept him. Some people did accept him. They believed in him. He gave something to those people who believed. He gave them the right to become children of God. These children were not born like little babies are born. They were not born from the wish or plan of a {mother and} father. These children were born from God. The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his glory--the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace (kindness) and truth. John told people about him. John said, "This is the One I was talking about. I said, 'The One who comes after me is more important than I am. He was living before me.'" The Word (Christ) was full of grace and truth. From him we all received more and more blessings. The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like.

— John 1:1-18 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.