“Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

Finally, they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

The apostle John used several figures to present Jesus to the world. He has used the metaphors of Jesus as the Word, the Life, and the Light. This week he will present Jesus, the Lamb of God.         

John the Baptist was gaining notoriety preaching in the wilderness and baptizing people in the Jordan river. He was getting quite a crowd. The religious leaders were getting nervous. Who was this popular preacher? What was he really preaching?

The Bible warns against false prophets and teachers. The book of Jude is a strong warning to the church about many false prophets who twist the truth or preach something that is not true. Unfortunately, we see false prophets even today who get a large following, but that doesn’t mean it is from God. It is a good idea to check out carefully the preachers, teachers and books that are popular, claiming their message is from God before you read them. It was proper that the religious leaders go and find out more about this itinerate preacher.            

“Who are you?” the Pharisees ask of John the Baptist. To know who you are is as important as to know who you are not. John knew who he wasn’t. “I am not the Christ.”

John knew his job was to point people to the Christ, not to himself. Is this the case with popular preachers today? Is it evident they are pointing people to Jesus or to themselves? Are they seeking to gain a personal following or eager that people follow Jesus whether they seek the glory or the credit or not?         

I know God and I am not Him.

We like attention. We like to be well thought of. We like it when people admire us. That is one of the temptations of Satan to highlight the works of man and not see the works of God within human vessels that God may use for certain times, for certain purposes and with certain gifts.         

John did not present himself as Elijah either. This prophet that was to return to earth before the great and terrible day of the Lord was anticipated by the Jews. He could have gotten a good following if they thought that, but he wanted to make it clear that was not his calling or purpose.

How often do we want to be like someone else? We admire what they do and think we can do better or the same, especially in Christian circles. God calls each person with their unique gifts and abilities to be what He wants them to be. Part of knowing who we are is to know who we are not. 

When God chooses to use someone, it can be just as much a surprise to them as to anyone else. No one can study or pray long enough to be John the Baptist. His job was given by God.         

When people are used of God, they are taken by how great He is and how little they are. They do not shirk the responsibility or the tasks God sets before them, but they know who really is in charge. What they see clearly is that others need to see Jesus, not themselves. 

Is that your desire?

Prayer:   Lord, free me from myself recognizing that an undue amount of thought for myself is what will keep me from giving my utmost for Your Highest and being an effective witness that points to You only.