10. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

Paintings of John the Baptist, whether as an adult or a child often portray him pointing towards Jesus, or to a symbol of Jesus – the Lamb or the cross. The picture, right, by José Leonardo (Spain, 1601- 1653), shows him pointing down to the lamb behind him and up towards the cross on the top of the staff he is holding. Around the staff is twined a banner bearing the words, “Ecce, Agnus Dei” – behold the Lamb of God – the words which John’s Gospel tells us John said when he first saw Jesus. “This is the one you are waiting for – follow him!” How John knows about Jesus isn’t explained, but he sees in Jesus a light that will light up the world and wants people to follow him . John says that his “joy has been fulfilled” when Jesus comes to him. “He [Jesus] must increase, and I must decrease”, says John (3.30).

(For more about paintings of John the Baptist, see this excellent series of videos from the National Gallery)


REFLECTION POINTS
• Have you ever realised that you needed to hand over a job to someone else, that your part of the work was done? How did that feel? Was it easy to do?
• How do you point people to Jesus in your daily life?
• Who do you admire whom you would like to point others to?

ALL AGE IDEA
• Write to, email or phone, someone who you think is doing a good job and tell them so.