Read – John 1:6-8
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
Meditate
There was a song we sang at one time in church that had us declare, “It’s all about you, Jesus.” I would sing it with enthusiasm:
“It’s all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It’s not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender
To Your ways”
(Paul Oakley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul (It’s All About You)”)
But, if I am truthful, there were times it was easy to substitute “me” for “you” so I was now the center of the song. As I thought about our verse today, I was reminded of a book I was looking at recently. The title was “How to Influence” and the book was all about how to market yourself so you would be the person others would want to look at and admire. It’s all about me.
Then we read these verses about John. His whole life was spent reminding people that he was not the one. His life was not about himself. His life was all about Jesus.
During the Christmas season, we say that “it is better to give than receive.” But, if we are not careful, it can become all about “me”—my gift, my time, my schedule, my happiness. Even our giving can focus on us.
For Christians, this is the perfect season to remember that we are here as a witness, not of ourselves but of the light, Jesus Christ. We are the reflection of his light. I remember a story from years ago where a new Christian was talking with a friend about the sun and the moon. The friend said that the moon has no capability of bringing light without the sun. The moon reflects the light of the sun, and that is the way it is with us. We reflect the light of the Son.
The new Christian then declared, “Well, if that’s the case I want to be a full moon!”.
It’s all about you, Jesus. I just want to be a full moon so people will believe about the light.
Pray
“I am not the light, but I know the one who is the light. I want the world to see the true light that is Jesus. I want my life to reflect the glory and fame of Christ. Let me be a full moon for Jesus.”
Contemplate
- If the weather cooperates, go outside tonight and look at the moon. The next full moon will be December 12th. The light is growing brighter. Give God thanks that the light of the Son continues to grow brighter in you.
- How can you make this Christmas all about Jesus? Take a moment to look at the words of the song above and see how it matches with your life. Now is a great time to make some changes to truly reflect the light of Jesus.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
