Context: John 1: 19-28

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John 1: 26-27

When John was baptizing in the Jordan river in Bethany, he was confronted by Jewish leaders with the demand to identify himself.  John immediately told them he was not the Messiah, and when asked, neither was he Elijah or any prophet they might expect.
Rather, he quoted Isaiah 40: 3-

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, Clear the way for the Lord’s coming.”

Instead of accepting any glory for doing what he was called to do, he glorified Jesus Christ. He minimized his importance by pointing out he was only called to baptize with water, and was not worthy to even be Christ’s slave, nor worthy to untie the straps of His sandal.

Sometimes there is the temptation to glory in the work God has called us to do. But it was clear, John the Baptist did not find it even necessary to identify himself, but to identify only Christ whom He served.  Yet, Jesus spoke highly of John, telling his disciples there was no prophet born of women greater than he.Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Why? because those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven are not born of the flesh but born of the Spirit – children of God, the Bride of Christ.

CR: John 1: 23, Matthew 11:11, John 3:30, Matthew 23: 11-12, John 3:3, 1 Peter 1: 3-4

Lord, help me to remember my call is to point out Jesus and give glory to Him, alone, by my testimony and the way I live.  Please let me get out of the way so Jesus can manifest Himself and receive all the glory for any work I might do in His Name.

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