“When Heaven Meets Earth: The Light of the World”
John 1:1-8, 19-28, {1} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. {4} In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. {5} The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. {6} There was a man sent from God whose name was John. {7} He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. {8} He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. {9} The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. {19} Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. {20} He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” {21} They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” {22} Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” {23} John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” {24} Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” {26} “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. {27} He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” {28} This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.