Job 2:1-3:10 - Does Job have the right to be angry with God? His wife's advice is to curse God and end his suffering, but Job's reply is that God is God. We cannot only accept what we want from Him. Job is suffering in innocence, and in that way points us to Jesus. He also stood accused by Satan, and suffered in innocence. As we read on in Job we'll see how difficult it becomes for Job to suffer silently, and how often we make the mistakes of his friends when dealing with our own and others' suffering.
John 1:19-34 - I've probably heard or read this passage a dozen times, but I just realized that John never answers the Pharisees' question about baptism. They ask why he baptizes and he answers, "with water." Huh? In addition he points out that there is one (Jesus) whom John is unworthy to baptize. It's a powerful thing we see again and again from John and from Jesus. They are able to focus on what's important. People are constantly trying to drive them to defend themselves or answer some riddle, but they are not deterred. John's mission is to point to Jesus. He's not going to waste time defending his baptism to some hostile leaders.
Pray: Dear Lord, you were not deterred from your mission to die and rise again so that all might have life in your name. Give me focus this and every day to Your calling. You have called me into specific areas of life. You have placed me among people who need me and the gifts You have given me. Help me to recognize my neighbors and serve them with joy. Do not allow distractions to take my eyes off of you or live reactively toward others. Give me focus to point to your Son as John the Baptist once did. Amen.
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