John was getting a lot of attention…people were looking his way.  After all, when was the last time anyone saw a guy living in the wilderness wearing an outfit made up of camel’s hair who shouted and preached a lot?  People came to the river to hear him, probably just get a good look at him, and he called God’s people to prepare the way for the Lord.

Can you imagine the buzz?  John was seriously popular.  Crowds pushed in.  He had charisma with a capital “C.”

Just then, John did something amazing - he pointed everyone towards Jesus.

As Jesus came to the river to be baptized by John, John saw him and declared (and can you just see him pointing at Jesus approaching?), “BEHOLD - THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD!”

Focus shift.  From John to Jesus.  From the prophet to the savior.  From the baptizer to the redeemer.

Focus shift.

I say we all take a page from John - let’s all point to Jesus.  He is, after all, the lamb of God–the perfect sacrifice.  He takes away the sins of the world–dying on a cross for your sins and mine.  He is the one, then, to focus on.

When we focus on Jesus, everything else falls into perspective and place.  To be Christ-followers, we need to focus on Him.  We need to point to Him.  We need to point others to Him.

So when you start to get your priorities twisted, or you lose your focus and need to get redirected…my prayer is you stop, and listen for the voice of John…he’s shouting at you: BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD.

Focus…