Lord Jesus, you are in all and above all. Born about six months apart, you and John the Baptizer were cousins. John baptized with water; you baptize with the Holy Spirit. Did the religious leaders not expect your coming? No, Isaiah spoke of you. Did you threaten their power structure? Yes, you did. You stood among them, and they didn’t know you, yet God gave John the witness to properly name you the Son of God. John’s ministry lessened while yours increased to the nations. Don’t allow me to miss your message, Lord. Open my eyes to see you, my heart to know you and my spiritual ears to hear you in your victorious name above all names, according to the good and perfect will of the Father. Amen.
“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.” And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’”