St John 1: 19-28
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’
He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’
And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’
He said, ‘I am not.’
‘Are you the prophet?’
He answered, ‘No.’
Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’
He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord”’, as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’
John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’
This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Reflection
I’ve been recently re-watching some CSI: Crime Scene Investigation series. The opening credits roll to the song “Who are you?”, setting the scene for not only identifying the victim, but the perpetrator, bringing justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
As a society we are obsessed with “who are you?” Unless you are somebody, you don’t count. Often celebrities will be heard saying “do you know who I am?” trying to make themselves important and therefore entitled to better treatment.
John does not try to big himself up. He answers that he is not the Messiah, but they persist in their questions, well, who are you then? Let us place you to see if what you are doing meets our criteria for being acceptable. When they discover he is not the prophet they are expecting, they then challenge his right to baptise. He is not seen as being someone important, so has no right or authority to be baptising. Who does he think he is?
John counters by explaining he baptises with water, but the one who comes after is far more important. He is not worthy to untie their sandals. John knows his place – one sent to cry out in the wilderness. Following the words of the prophet Isaiah, John is to proclaim the one who is to come. May we follow John’s example – know our place – and proclaim the name of Jesus!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, may we know our place and proclaim your name. Instead of flaunting our Christianity, may we humbly make way for Christ. May our words be Spirit inspired, our actions Spirit led, and our eyes be constantly focussed on you. Your name be praised and proclaimed from every lip, so all may know that you are Lord. Amen