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Opening Prayer
As I read your Word today, Father, I want to hear your voice. Help me to listen with a heart open and eager to do your will.
Read JOHN 1:19–28
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders[a] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[b]
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with[c] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Footnotes
- John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
- John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
- John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How would you respond to the question, ‘Who are you?’ If God were the one asking the question, would your response be any different?
In an orchestra, the first violins carry the melody. The second violins provide the harmony, which is an important supporting role that makes the melody ring out richer and fuller. When asked which instrument was harder to play, the famous conductor Leonard Bernstein reputedly responded, ‘The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem; and if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.’
Today’s passage begins with the Jewish leaders peppering John with questions about his identity and role. Both curiosity and controversy surrounded this prophet who had emerged from the Judean desert and quickly made a name for himself as a fearless and forthright preacher. Although influential people had begun to speculate about his identity, John downplayed any hint of celebrity status, promptly vetoing suggestions that he might be Elijah, Moses, or even the Messiah (vv. 19–21). When pressed by a high-powered delegation, John’s response was plucked straight out of Scripture: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (v. 23).1 John was clear about his identity—both who he was and who he was not. He was content in his identity, laying no claims to fame even when presented with a golden opportunity to do so.2 John was also confident. While under no illusion that he was indispensable, John never doubted that his role was important. He was content to be just a ‘voice,’ but he was also a bold, uncompromising, and confident voice!
John played second fiddle—and he played it remarkably well. Instead of capitalizing on being the center of attention, he deliberately and purposefully trained the spotlight on Jesus (vv. 26, 27).
Apply
How important is status to you? Is it hard for you to see credit given to others?
Closing prayer
You are the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Jesus, and yet you came to meet the needs of sinful mankind. No matter what my station, help me to serve others with humility and contentment, confident that you are at work in and through me.
1 See Isa 40:3 2 Matt 5:5, The Message
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