City Life Starter

By Blesson C Selvanesan

The Word: John 1:19-28

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[h] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (ESV)

John the author of this Gospel introduces Jesus in this chapter. Although the Jewish people were expecting a Messiah or Christ, they were skeptical of anyone who could potentially make that claim. But they were eagerly expecting the messiah to come and save them. So they scrutinized all potential candidates with great expectation. John the Baptist was the prominent man of God at that time. John the Baptist was feared by the people for his sharp words and he had set himself apart for God’s work. He baptized many and called people to repent. Many thought that he could be the anointed one. So, the religious and educated elites of that time sent emissaries to him to ask who he was and to clarify if he was Christ.

As people were looking for Christ in the wrong places, John the Baptist introduces Christ…Jesus – the living word and light to the people in an authentic way by revealing Jesus as Christ and He was merely a voice in the desert. John the author introduces Jesus as the WORD that existed ‘in the beginning’, the beginning before the Genesis 1 beginning. John the Baptist was the voice for the WORD and to introduce him when the WORD became flesh. Although he was greatly feared and respected, he confessed before the people with great humility that he was not worthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandals.

Application: John the Baptist knew who he was and very importantly, he also knew who he was not. He pointed to Jesus and faded into the background. He knew his destiny and played his part faithfully while cheerfully glorifying Jesus Christ the Messiah.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day and thanks for your faithfulness. Thank you for giving me a role in pointing towards Jesus. Help me to play my role in thy kingdom faithfully by pointing to Jesus and be a true witness. Amen.