A Story to Tell to the Nations

This Sunday celebrates the Baptism of Jesus. At this time who He really was as God's Messiah and Son became clear to John the Baptizer. The next day John declared to two of his followers, "There is the Lamb of God." They followed Jesus and the truth dawned on them as well through their own experience with Jesus. They, in turn, told others about Him. This passage, John 1, sets the focus for our second Epiphany "Enlightenment."

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39"Come," he replied, "and you will see."

When we have the light of Jesus shed on our lives, we become light-bearers. Having accepted His invitation to "Come and see" we experience His love, power and leadership in life-altering ways. The transformation is profound.

We must then tell the story to those around us. Everyone has a story, a unique personal experience with God through Jesus. We each have a specific "net" or network of Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors to whom we can tell the Good News. We must brighten the corner where we are.

This duty, this privilege of telling our story ranks up there with trans-cultural missions we discussed last week. How sad that many will cross the oceans to spred the light to those unlike them, but will not cross the street to tell a neighbor. No one can tell your story like you can. And without the telling the message dies with you.

Like John we must translate our personal Epiphany to help enlighten someone else. We have influence over some more than others. These deserve to hear His story. And their reception of the light will in turn create more opportunities for its spread as they tell others, too. It only takes one to start the process!

How can I tell my story?

A few simple suggestions will help anyone tell their Epiphany story. First, write it out. This is important and should be worked out in advance of actual sharing. Second, tell in briefest terms what life was like B.C. (before Christ came into your life.) Don't spend too much time or emphasis here as we don't want to glamorize our sinfulness or sorrows. Then tell of how life has improved with Jesus in your life. Give one or two specific ways the Light has effected you. Then tell of the actual Epiphany moment. How did the light come on? When? Where? Be sure to include a nutshell of the Last Steps to Becoming a Christian (Romans' Road, ABCs of Salvation, Sinner's Prayer) to help them understand the conscious decision that must be made and God's promise on which salvation belongs. Lastly, K.I.S.S. it. Keep It Short and Simple. Be so familiar with it you can tell it from the first to the third floor on an elevator or elaborate in the necesary detail should more time or interest warrant.

Now, Go, Tell one person your story this week.