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 desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 24. Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25. questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, 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 thongs 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. 

John the Baptist knew he was not the Christ and wanted to present Jesus to others. In knowing and introducing himself to others, he also identified his gifts and his calling. He was a voice, a mouthpiece that cries in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. He knew who he was. 

He had a message from God, “Make ready for the King is coming.” He knew he was an announcer, introducing someone greater than himself. He had a divine appointment, a divine call, and was obedient to that call. Interestingly, the Pharisees were not impressed. 

“If you are not the Christ or Elijah why then are you baptizing people here?” 

Repentance is necessary for people to see Jesus. John the Baptist preached the message that hearts need to be made right with God and not just carry out religious rituals as a cover up for what they were doing that displeases God. Not only did John tell them his calling and his message but revealed his heart of humility as well as the importance of Jesus. “I am not worthy even to untie his sandals.” 

There was a rabbinic saying that a disciple might do anything that a servant would do for his master, except to untie his sandals. That was too menial a service for even a disciple to render. Yet John recognizes his place compared to the place of the Messiah. John could baptize with water, but he could not baptize with fire. He could not bring eternal life to anyone.

A good witness forgets about himself and points people to Jesus. He does not shirk his responsibilities or his opportunities. He is a vessel, letting others know about Jesus, and God does the rest. 

Application:  What is Gods call on your life as a vessel for Jesus.

Prayer:   Gracious Father, strengthen me to be obedient to the call You have placed on my life.  Like John the Baptists, may my testimony reveal the testimony of Jesus from a heart of humility.   

Dale