Surprise Appearances

Scripture – John 3:22-26: After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Jesus was baptizing. What a memory to have. When it happened, it certainly had meaning for the people being baptized. At the same time, Jesus was only a man. But later, after the resurrection, there must have been some people who could look back and realize who had baptized them. What a great experience to have! We never know what will come of encounters with people. What seems to be a chance meeting today may turn out to be a life-changing event in retrospect. It’s so important to be open to Christ’s surprising appearances in life. Sometimes I won’t recognize them until later. But always, I do well to keep open.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will be ready today for Jesus to break in somehow. I will pay attention in worship, youth group and all the time in between. I expect something good to happen.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, thank you for your on-going presence in my life – and for the surprise appearances you make. Keep me open today – ready for whatever you have planned.