John 1:19-28

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

I wouldn't be Advent without hearing from John the Baptist.

It's a story we hear every year. It's one that has become cemented with Advent and with the idea of preparation for Christmas.

Each time I read the story of John - regardless of the gospel - I try to see if there is something new I can find. Something that I didn't know before.

And that seems oddly ironic then that this time I zeroed in on John's words about Jesus as "the one whom you do not know."

It makes me wonder: "Do we still not fully know Jesus?"

Each year John the Baptist introduces us to this Jesus who wasn't known to the Priests or Levites. And in each year when he does this, he is also introducing him to us again.

It isn't a story that can be told once.

It's a story we tell again and again so that we can know Jesus more fully.

Because while we know the Christmas story, and love to tell the Christmas story, we sometimes forget who the center of the story is.

We forget that Jesus came not simply to tell about him.

Or even simply to believe in him.

But so that we might know him.

And fully knowing someone takes time. 

And repetition.

And faith.

So listen to John this year. Listen again and let him introduce you to the one who we don't yet know.

So that we might begin to fully know him.

Lord, teach me your story and make it a part of me so that I may fully know you. Amen