The Mark of the Messenger (# 88)

“I am not the Messiah,” he said.

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet?”

“No.”

“Then who are you?  Tell us…”

John replied in the words of Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord’s coming!’” (John 1:20-23) New Living Translation.

This interesting and revealing exchange between John the Baptist and the Jewish leaders portray a reluctant yet willing messenger.

Getting John to reveal his identity as we say is like “trying to get blood from a stone.”

Yet he joyfully reveals the coming Messiah and His mission.  He even shows that Jesus’ ministry far outweighs his in its importance.  Listen to what he says:

“I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not know who will soon begin his ministry, I’m not even worthy to be his slave…” (John 1:26, 27).

Wow!  What a humble messenger!

And, John is right to place the focus on the Messiah, His message and His ministry.

Can we emulate John and be just as humble?  Can we take our place?  This really is the hallmark of a messenger.

©Kerina Hall