MAKING GOD GLAD
Prayer
Praying On The Journey With Christ
A Commitment To Encounter Christ Through The Gospel Of John
Object:
John 1:29-34
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
COMMENTARY
"Here is the Lamb ... this is the Son of God." Between these two phrases, the first phrase talking about the Lamb, and the last phrase talking about the Son (both of which are "of God"), it is the Holy Spirit that is most operative in this passage. The work of the Holy Spirit in this passage is one of identifying the Messiah. The Spirit is described as descending like a dove, remaining on him like some creature from space, but with a true homing instinct.
The Holy Spirit, obviously, belongs with the Lamb of God, the Son of God. To be baptized by the Holy Spirit is to be touched and tapped by the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the Spirit of God. To be baptized by the Holy Spirit is to be surrounded by God, from whom there is no escape, and to rejoice in that captivity.
PRAYER
Lord Holy Spirit, sometimes I've imagined it was you who brushed by me, like some furtive butterfly on its erratic path. I would be like Saint Francis of Assisi, if only I could.
Sometimes I've wished you would light on me like a dove, and someone like John the Baptist would see it and announce its beauty.
I don't blame you, Lord, if you are as afraid of me as butterflies and birds are. I am a fickle person. Today I want you near. Tomorrow may be another story.
What I'm really asking for is a friendly, nice relationship, but not necessarily a deep one. Like the gentle butterfly and the timid bird, I don't mind your being near, or even lighting on me, but entering within, becoming a part of me, and changing the way I think and live is quite another matter. Oh, Lord, I like to watch. I like to see you in living things. I do not like to listen to you. I do not like to change.
Lord Holy Spirit, of what am I afraid? Why won't I listen? If I were able to listen, would you enter into me in fullness? Do you only come to ready hearts, open hearts, vulnerable hearts? I think so.
When John saw you, Lord, he knew who you were. He knew that your task was more than flitting about like a butterfly. In the wilderness he had listened to the heavenly voice intently. He had listened, so he knew you when he saw you.
Lord Holy Spirit, come into my life every day, reminding me of my baptism. Come, not just for the peace and joy that you bring, nor even for the power that you are. Rather, come to me, for I am lonely without you, and I want to learn how to bring you joy and make you glad. Amen.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
COMMENTARY
"Here is the Lamb ... this is the Son of God." Between these two phrases, the first phrase talking about the Lamb, and the last phrase talking about the Son (both of which are "of God"), it is the Holy Spirit that is most operative in this passage. The work of the Holy Spirit in this passage is one of identifying the Messiah. The Spirit is described as descending like a dove, remaining on him like some creature from space, but with a true homing instinct.
The Holy Spirit, obviously, belongs with the Lamb of God, the Son of God. To be baptized by the Holy Spirit is to be touched and tapped by the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the Spirit of God. To be baptized by the Holy Spirit is to be surrounded by God, from whom there is no escape, and to rejoice in that captivity.
PRAYER
Lord Holy Spirit, sometimes I've imagined it was you who brushed by me, like some furtive butterfly on its erratic path. I would be like Saint Francis of Assisi, if only I could.
Sometimes I've wished you would light on me like a dove, and someone like John the Baptist would see it and announce its beauty.
I don't blame you, Lord, if you are as afraid of me as butterflies and birds are. I am a fickle person. Today I want you near. Tomorrow may be another story.
What I'm really asking for is a friendly, nice relationship, but not necessarily a deep one. Like the gentle butterfly and the timid bird, I don't mind your being near, or even lighting on me, but entering within, becoming a part of me, and changing the way I think and live is quite another matter. Oh, Lord, I like to watch. I like to see you in living things. I do not like to listen to you. I do not like to change.
Lord Holy Spirit, of what am I afraid? Why won't I listen? If I were able to listen, would you enter into me in fullness? Do you only come to ready hearts, open hearts, vulnerable hearts? I think so.
When John saw you, Lord, he knew who you were. He knew that your task was more than flitting about like a butterfly. In the wilderness he had listened to the heavenly voice intently. He had listened, so he knew you when he saw you.
Lord Holy Spirit, come into my life every day, reminding me of my baptism. Come, not just for the peace and joy that you bring, nor even for the power that you are. Rather, come to me, for I am lonely without you, and I want to learn how to bring you joy and make you glad. Amen.
