Recognition

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!”                                                               John 1.29

John the Baptist saw Jesus and he recognised Him. He knew Him as the Lamb of God. He saw Him as the one who takes away the sin of the world. He witnessed the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove from heaven and he heard the Almighty declare Jesus to be the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God. He testified to this.

As I ponder on this passage I see in my mind’s eye, and especially in my heart, a most wonderful vision of Jesus. He is walking toward me. He has the most glorious smile on His face, which is lifted up in greeting and contagious freedom. His arms are open wide, and inviting. His whole demeanour is welcoming. He stands ready to forgive my sins – all of them, for all time, past, present and future.

And He yearns to take me up, in His arms, in the sweetest embrace of love, grace and blessing. I also see a dove hovering just above His head. Jesus is offering me the Holy Spirit. He has already filled me with the Spirit but it is as if He wants me to be reminded of the ongoing fullness of the Spirit that I am constantly assured of in Him.

Jesus said during His life on earth, “I and the Father are one.” This is also so with the Spirit. The Father, Son and Spirit are One. And Jesus, as I behold Him in my “seeing” right now, is beckoning me further into one-ness with the Holy Trinity.

O Precious Lord.

I recognise You in Your holiness and love. I abandon myself to You in full surrender. I humbly seek Your forgiveness of all my sins, and I give myself into the fullness of relationship with You. I rush headlong into Your arms. I relish this wonderful opportunity to give myself into deeper, and deepening, relationship with You. Receive me, Lord, and lead me ever onward into the mystery of intimacy with You.         Amen.