“I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’” John 1:31–33
I spent a good chunk of my childhood attending church with my Grandpa and Grandma. I heard a lot of sermons, attended quite a few kids’ Sunday School classes, and sang many hymns. I would say I knew Jesus. But at the age of 26, I discovered that I never truly knew Jesus for who He was.
John the Baptist knew Jesus. They were family. Maybe he played with Jesus as a child, saw Jesus at family gatherings, spoke to Jesus on many occasions—yet at this very moment, his eyes were opened to who Jesus really was. That entire time, the Messiah was literally right in front of him.
What Jesus is standing right in front of you? Is it a Jesus that you’ve built up in your imagination? Is it a Jesus who fits nicely inside the box you made for Him? Or is it Jesus—the Christ, the Lamb of God, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit?
My prayer for you is that your eyes would be opened. May you see Jesus for who He truly is, and may your life bear witness of Him.