June 4
________________________________________THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. – John1:19-28 (NASB)
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In this account, we hear the testimony of John the Baptizer, who was being questioned by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem about his identity. Because John had a big following and people came to him to be baptized, the religious leaders started to investigate whether he was a prophet or Elijah. He replied that he was just a messenger preparing the way for the Lord’s coming. So, the Pharisees investigated and probed and questioned him. They were asking why he baptized if he is not Christ, Elijah or a prophet. So, he gave them an answer which prophesied that someone greater than him will come and he isn’t even worthy of his presence.
We clearly see that these revelations to John the Baptizer was clearly from the Holy Spirit. The humility of this man is so evident in this exchange with the Pharisees and the religious leaders. He never claims any credit for anything even though many people think that he is full of wisdom and knowledge and anointing. How many of us believers are this humble to always point to Jesus instead of taking credit for things that we think we have accomplished on our own? Do we witness for Jesus and point to him when we get credited for truth that isn’t ours?
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop humility and the habit of pointing to Jesus always?
• What is so worth emulating in John’s character in this bible passages?