Wednesday, January 19, 2005
John 1:26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know."
NOT FAR FROM EACH ONE OF US
Many years ago a man named Russell H. Conwell traveled the length and breadth of the U.S. telling and re-telling a single story -- dramatically presenting it, really. He delivered his message at fairs and chatauquas and gatherings of all sorts. Huge crowds came to hear him masterfully recount the legend of Ali Hafed. Hafed, blessed with a farm and many orchards, was still discontented. He wished for great wealth. He was advised to look for a river with white sands. There he would find many diamonds. So Hafed sold his farm and left his family in search of diamonds. For years he searched unsuccessfully, never returning to his family and finally dying broke and broken.
Meanwhile, the new owner of Hafed's property, while watering his camels in a small stream found the world's largest diamond mine! Right there in Hafed's back yard were "ACRES OF DIAMONDS." Sometimes the greatest treasure lies close at hand -- unrecognized.
Centuries ago a fiery prophet named John was asked if He was the Promised One, the World's Redeemer. "No," he replied, "I am not, but He is among you though you do not know Him."
Because the Bringer of forgiveness was so near, John urged people to repent of their sins. Those who bowed their heads and hearts before God, lifted them up to see John point to One he called "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29).
Christ is still near. In the Scriptures, the prophets and evangelists and apostles still point Him out. But He is not seen for the Treasure He is except by those whom God the Holy Spirit enables to bow their heads in sorrow over sin and to lift them up again -- with their eyes fixed in faith upon the Lamb of Calvary. 