John the Baptist’s role in John’s Gospel is to be a witness and to give testimony. In the Prologue to the Gospel, we hear:
“He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” (John 1:7-8)
In today’s Gospel John begins his role of witness and pointing to Jesus. First, he points away from himself and denies that he is the Christ or Messiah. He further denies that he is Elijah and even the Prophet. Instead, he describes his role as preparing the way of the Lord in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord…” (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3).
John testifies to Jesus by pointing him out to those standing around.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” (John 1:29-30).
These begin to follow Jesus and bring other to Jesus also. These people come to Jesus searching and Jesus responds with a simple dialogue and invitation:
Jesus: “What are you looking for?”
Disciples: “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
Jesus: “Come, and you will see.” (John 1:37-38).
As we begin a new year Jesus asks you and me the same question: “What are you looking for?” He also gives us the same personal invitation: “Come, and you will see.” We will see where Jesus stays and abides. Ultimately, he stays and abides with his heavenly Father. Jesus wants to stay and abide with each one of us. Will we accept his invitation?
Image: “IMG_2100A Jacob Jordaens 1593-1678 Anvers Saint Jean Baptiste. Saint John the Baptist Groningen. Groninger Museum” by jean louis mazieres is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.