John 1:6-8,19-28 NRSVue
6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”, 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
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Reflection on John 1:6-8,19-28
Inspiration from 2026-12-13 Daily Prayer
Light and darkness are key themes of the Fourth Gospel. John the Baptist has been sent by God to ‘testify to the light’. John is a light bearer; he is not the light, but he points to the light. He is a witness to the light of God in our world, a light that cannot be put out.
There is much darkness in our world, and many wildernesses to navigate in our society, in our communities and in our relationships with one another. Into what ‘wildernesses’ does God’s light need to be born right now? During Advent we light candles for hope, peace, joy and love. This week, take time to light the Advent candles and send light into those situations that come to mind.