Today’s Reading: John 1:19-28; Psalm 67
This was John’s testimony… — John 1:19
Each of us has a story. All of us are on a journey of grace — each uniquely loved by God and equipped by God to be used in the lives of others. John the Baptist’s story was one of confronting sin in the church and in the lives of individuals. He called others to repentance, pleading with them to clear the way for the Lord’s coming. Remove the obstacles and tear down the barriers; Jesus is coming. This is the mission God had called him to and he did it with both passion and boldness.
CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE LORD.
This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” — John 1:19-20
It is almost as if John was saying — I know what you are trying to do, so let me save us both time and give you the answer you are fishing for. I am not who you think I am, who you want to make me, or who you fear me to be.
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” — John 1:21-23
John stuck with the obvious. I am the man standing in the wilderness who was shouting ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming’ when you walked up and interrupted me. It is as simple as that. I am a man with a message. Don’t try to read between the lines. I am who I say I am. Don’t try to make me who I am not.
The religious leaders responded suspiciously. After all, if John wasn’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, why was he baptizing?
John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. — John 1:26-28
John’s message to the church at that time could be applied to the church today — You are so distracted that you are missing the presence of God. You are so worried about what I am doing that you aren’t paying attention to what God is doing. Do not focus on the preshow and miss the main event. I am who I say I am and I do what God tells me to do. It’s not about me; it’s about the One coming after me. He is worthy and I am unworthy.
REMOVE THE DISTRACTIONS AND LOOK FOR JESUS TODAY.
My prayer this morning is that I will recognize the Lord’s presence in the crowd. I want to see Him in the person standing beside me; I want to sense Him in the words of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to hear Him and be heard; I want to know Him and be known.
Father God, show me the fallen trees, rocks and debris in my life that need cleared away in order to be fully available to your presence. May I never look to others for my significance, but focus on who you have created me to be and what you are calling me to do, regardless of the opinions of others. Give me a voice of influence to spread your message to others. Amen.
May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you. – Psalm 67:2-3