What Jesus Did! 'Pointing Others to Jesus' — John 1:15

Sunday, January 11, 2026

John testified about [the Word, Jesus] when he shouted to the crowds, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"
— John 1:15 NLT

Key Thought

John the Baptizer was courageous. John was passionate, but he realized he was just a "pointer" - someone who pointed people to another far greater than himself. Jesus was in existence long before John appeared on the scene. In fact, Jesus existed before creation. No matter how important others viewed John - and even Jesus testified to John's greatness, [1] John knew God had given him one primary job: Point others to Jesus, the preexistent Word of God! In a world full of people obsessed with getting their fifteen minutes of fame, John is a breath of fresh air. His life challenges each of us to ask an important question: Will I spend my life helping others know of Jesus' greatness rather than having them focus on me?

[1] Matthew 11:11.

Today's Prayer

Father, please help me find and fulfill my role as John did - to point others to Jesus and his greatness and grace. Help me find great delight in doing what you created me to do and in using my influence to help others to see Jesus. In his name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

20 Related Resources by Heartlight

We are the visited planet!
Illustration of John 1:14-18
Inspirational illustration of John 1:14-18 -- grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God,a but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Pope Benedict 'Debunks' Christmas?
Article by Rubel Shelly
What's going on here with our traditions? Rubel Shelly reminds us of what is most important and truthful and what is legend about the Christmas story.
God Made Touchable
Article by Phil Ware
That is God with curly dark brown hair and wood shavings in his hair and callouses on his hands. That is God come live among us. Phil Ware challenges us to remember that Jesus was God made touchable and that Communion makes God touchable to us again.
God's Greatest Message
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, Ouch! You sent a text to someone, and he or she didn't understand your humor. You left a voicemail that was supposed to be cute, but..."
See All 20 Related Resources about John 1:15

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:15 NLT — "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 11, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 12:8
"A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Job 19:25
"The marrow of Job's comfort lies in that little word "My"-"My Redeemer," and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of a living Christ....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Genuine Sorrow' (Acts 8:1-4)
"Saul was one of the witnesses [to Stephen's being stoned to death], and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Make a Joyful Symphony' (Ps. 98:5)
"Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!