John the Baptizer was the older cousin of Jesus, the son of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth. He was the baby who jumped in his mother’s womb when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, came near.

I believe that God specifically empowered John to know the Messiah even before either were born. What a God-sensitive man he was!

Did their families visit together when they were children? Did John and Jesus know one another well? We don’t know for certain, but it’s very likely. If they did know one another as children, it’s also unlikely that John consciously knew Jesus was the Messiah come to take the sins of the world until that specific day when He was walking toward John and God revealed the truth to him.

That realization is something we all must come to, this understanding that Jesus isn’t just a good man who walked the earth a couple thousand years ago. He’s not just a prophet who did some miracles. He’s not just a priest or rabbi. He’s so much more!

When we recognize who He is and realize our need for the forgiveness of our sins and the cleansing from unrighteousness He freely offers us, we understand that we can accept His sacrifice for us as ours and rest in the assurance that His incredible life, cruel death, and amazing resurrection were so much more than that of “some guy.” It is life for us.

Forever life. Abundant life. No-longer-separated-from-God life.

Have you seen Him walking toward you? Have you recognized the Lamb of God come to take away your sins? Have you accepted that sacrifice as being for you?

If you have accepted His salvation through His sacrifice, today is your day! Celebrate that you are a child of God, resting in His peace, having eternally abundant life that you can share with others.

Behold! The Lamb of God! Here today for you.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.