Who is John the Baptist? (John 1:19-28)

Who is John the Baptist? (John 1:19-28)

The Jewish leaders wanted to know, who is this person who is baptizing, not only gentiles but also Jews.   For the practice of baptism was not new, but was only preformed on gentiles, it was the cleansing act for proselytes, not for Jewish people who were already God’s people.  At the same time there was great tension between the Jews and the Roman Government so the leaders wanted to keep a close eye on those who they thought may cause problems for them.  They were also on the lookout for the Messiah whom they thought would come and deliver them out of the hands of Rome and create a kingdom for them to rule.  They ask John, are you Elijah? Why would they ask him this question?  Because once he clarified that he was not Christ, they remembered in Malachi 4:5, ““Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.”

“I am the voice” (John 1:23)

When pressed for an answer of who he was. John answered with, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord’s coming” quoting Isaiah 40:3.  In doing this John is one, reminding the people of Israel that they must repent and turn from their sins, that they are to follow and be obedient to God.  The second being that he took the spotlight off of himself, and placed it on Christ.  He continues this trend when  in verse 27 he says, “He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”  When asked of who he was and by what authority he does what he does, John simply points to Christ.  Never once does He take any of the credit or tell them it is because he is the one God choose to do all these things. Instead he points to Christ.

Are we truly being humble (Romans 11:25-36)

As we look at this encounter John has with the Jewish leaders we learn one thing and that is John is being very humble.  He could have very easily said I am the for-runner to Christ.  God has chosen me to come first so that you may know he is on his way.  But he continues to point to Christ everything about John’s life is focused not on John but on Christ.  While the leadership of the Jews, was all about them, not at all about God or His kingdom.  In Romans 11:25-36 Paul talks about how we truly have nothing to brag about God’s grace is for all of us.  None of us have done anything to deserve.  We must empty ourselves of us and allow God to begin to work in our entire life.  We must stop thinking that we are better than others and start allowing our lives to point to Christ