19Now this was John’s testimony when some of the Jewish leaders sent an entourage of priests and temple servants from Jerusalem to interrogate him. “Who are you?” they asked him.
20John answered them directly, saying, “I am not the Messiah!”
21“Then who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” John replied.
So they pressed him further, “Are you the prophet Moses said was coming, the one we’re expecting?”
“No,” he replied.
22“Then who are you?” they demanded. “We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something about yourself—anything!”
23John answered them, “I am an urgent, thunderous voice crying out in the desert—clear the way and prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord Yahweh!”
24Then some members of the religious sect known as the Pharisees questioned John, 25“Why do you baptize the people if you are neither the Messiah, Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26-27John answered them, “I baptize the people in this river, but the One who will take my place is to be more honored than I, but even when he stands among you, you will not recognize or embrace him! I am not worthy enough to stoop down in front of him and untie his sandals!” 28All these events took place at Bethany, where John was baptizing at the place of the crossing of the Jordan River.
When John was asked who he was, his answer was both truthful and humble. He didn't try to be in the limelight or take all the credit. He knew his place because he knew Jesus' place. We can learn a lot from John in these verses by following his example, proof that a few words can pack quite a wallop. I think the reason John was so humble is because he knew who Jesus was. So, who is Jesus to you?
Jesus needs to occupy the throne of every area of your life.
John was very clear that he was not the Messiah. It can be easy for us to think we are. Not in the "I can save the souls of humanity," kind of way but in the "I can handle my own stuff because I know what's best for me" kind of way.
Let's be real for a moment. We like the feeling that we're in charge, we get to call the shots. We like to be in control. Here's the thing. We're not. Even though you may convince yourself you have control, you just don't. God, who created everything, who keeps the earth spinning and the waves from flooding the world is in control. If He can create and run the Universe, I think it's safe to say you can trust Him to be God over yours.
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