Tuesday January 2, 2024

John 1:19-28

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?

As you read these opening versus in the gospel of John a question arises. Why is St John going into overdrive stating over and over again that he was not the Christ but merely one coming before him. Looking at how many ways he says it and tries over and over again to point out who is the Christ gives us a window to look into the confusion in the early church especially among the Johanine community and the followers of Jesus. St John was the charismatic one, in some places his fame may have been greater than our Lord’s. But he emphasizes “I must decrease, he must increase.”

One of the principals to remember as priest or Christian is the 11th commandment. The unspoken commandment of the Jewish people. Remember O Lawman/Israel, there is but one God and you are not it. We have to know our place in the Kingdom. I think I will keep this reflection short and ask you throughout this day to say the unspoken commandment and insert your name. You are not God.