Advent 2019 - Day 17

READ John 1:6-8; 19-28:

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.

This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” He didn’t deny it but confessed: “I am not the Messiah.” “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

We have already encountered John, but we would definitely be missing something if we didn’t talk about him when talking about God’s perfect plan of peace!

This time, I want to highlight the exchange that John had with the people who were sent by the Pharisees. Notice that the Pharisees themselves didn’t come to talk to John. They sent people. They didn’t take John seriously enough to show up themselves. 

The world will not take you seriously. Most people who are not Christians look at Christianity with a lot of speculation and mistrust. When you are found out to be a believer, you should not be surprised when you are met with sarcasm, disbelief, or even some form of hostility.

But again, John’s message is clear. Jesus must increase and we must decrease. We are not even worthy to stoop down and untie Jesus’ sandal. This is a call to humility.

REFLECT:

How can you be more humble this week? Make this a challenge to yourself.

How can you be bold like John, and prepare the way for Jesus?