When the priests and Levites question John about who he was, he does not give them an answer which they expected. I find it interesting the humility with which John answers them. Instead of becoming puffed up and pretending to be someone of immense significance, such as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet,(which they asked him if he was) John says, "I am the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
The group can't seem to deal well with this answer so they say, "'Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?' John answered them, 'I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'"
An honest and humble answer, pointing significance to Christ. Verse 29 says that "The next day he saw Jesus coming." Imagine if John had not given glory to Christ. What if he had claimed credit for himself and not been honest with the priests and Levites, who were sent by the Pharisees? How awful and foolish would he have felt on seeing Christ the very next day?
He was a worker who was not ashamed when Christ appeared. I want to be that way as well: steadfast, not slipping in testimony, not faltering, giving an honorable and pleasing representation of who God is.
We must be pure and steadfast, holy and set apart. Pursuing a closer walk with Who we potray and conscious of How we potray Him who takes preeminence over any personal desire for gain, acceptance, or worth.
No comments:
Post a Comment