John 1:24-28
John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know…”
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptising, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptise with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Baptism was not an unknown practice to the Jewish leaders. In the Jewish context, the converts to Judaism were baptised, but they baptised themselves. So, naturally the Pharisees were curious about the source of John’s authority to baptise others if he was not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet like Moses.
John is consistent in humbling himself and pointing to the One he was sent to prepare the people for. He puts himself even lower than a slave, because the task of untying sandal straps was reserved for the lowest of slaves. Even this menial task, John considered himself unworthy to do for the Lord.
John exemplifies that prayer we offered just a few days ago during the Watch Night Service, the Covenant Renewal Prayer. “I am no longer my own, but yours. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, praised for you or criticised for you.” In obeying Christ, sometimes we may be questioned and criticised. We may be asked, “Who do you think you are? Who gave you authority to do such things?” If we have been faithful in doing what Christ commanded us to do, our answer can be simple, “I am a humble servant of Jesus Christ.”
Reflection: Today, are we doing what God has told us to do? Are we humbly testifying about him and pointing others to him?
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptising, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptise with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Baptism was not an unknown practice to the Jewish leaders. In the Jewish context, the converts to Judaism were baptised, but they baptised themselves. So, naturally the Pharisees were curious about the source of John’s authority to baptise others if he was not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet like Moses.
John is consistent in humbling himself and pointing to the One he was sent to prepare the people for. He puts himself even lower than a slave, because the task of untying sandal straps was reserved for the lowest of slaves. Even this menial task, John considered himself unworthy to do for the Lord.
John exemplifies that prayer we offered just a few days ago during the Watch Night Service, the Covenant Renewal Prayer. “I am no longer my own, but yours. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, praised for you or criticised for you.” In obeying Christ, sometimes we may be questioned and criticised. We may be asked, “Who do you think you are? Who gave you authority to do such things?” If we have been faithful in doing what Christ commanded us to do, our answer can be simple, “I am a humble servant of Jesus Christ.”
Reflection: Today, are we doing what God has told us to do? Are we humbly testifying about him and pointing others to him?