Slices
Prepare
‘He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way’ (Psalm 25:9). If possible, kneel before God in humility now.
Bible passage
John the Baptist denies being the Messiah
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders 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.”’
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, ‘Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’
26 ‘I baptise with 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 baptising.
Explore
When you really want a particular job, you encounter the temptation to claim more about yourself than you properly should. The need to ‘sell yourself’ to a prospective employer can lead to some very creative expressions of professional and personal achievements!
John the Baptist must have been similarly tempted when it came to responding to the questions of the priests and Levites (v 19), and Pharisees (v 24), regarding his status. Since they’re asking, why not suggest, at least, that he might indeed be Elijah, or a prophet (v 21), or even the Messiah (v 20)? John, however, resists the temptation, identifying himself emphatically as only the ‘support act’ to the ‘headlining’ Christ to follow (vs 23,26,27).
The spiritual insight and humility of John is contrasted with the spiritual ignorance and pride of the religious leaders who question him and who, by virtue of their office, really should have perceived that God was at work in his activities. They are in the dark when it comes to the light about which John testifies (v 19). God is not constrained by our proudly held prescriptions for how he must work, and through whom he will work.
Respond
Confess before God your own prejudices about what his activity looks like. Ask him to open your heart and mind to his infinite possibilities.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 32,33; Acts 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Bookings have opened for our holidays and missions which restart in March 2024. Please pray that young people, children and their families will be excited and eager to book a place. (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
