I AM NOT

John 1:19-28

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 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.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize 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 baptizing.

Notes

The gospel, according to John, declared that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And nothing was created without Him because He was there in the beginning, and creation was made through Him. The Word gave us physical light and spiritual light. And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with His people. But many of His people did not receive Him. But to those who did, meaning those who believed in His name became children of God. It was not the physical birth that made them children of God, nor was it human will. They were born of the will of God, not any man.

1. I am NOT

   John the Baptist caught the attention of the Jews. All Judea and Jerusalem went to him (Mark 1:5). Thus, the religious leaders sent emissaries to investigate. John admitted that he was NOT the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet.

   
   19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” (John 1:19-21).

2. I am the VOICE

   The emissaries of the Pharisees and Levites pressed the questions. John’s only claim was that he was the voice in the wilderness, nothing more. The message was to prepare the way of the Lord.

   22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 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 (John 1:22-23).

3. I am UNWORTHY

   God sent John to be a witness. His authority comes from God, not from human institutions. The Baptist spoke about the One that the religious leaders do not know, claiming that John was not worthy of even the lowest position.

   
   24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize 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 baptizing. (John 1:24-28). one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known (John 1:18).

Application

1. We are NOT

   Every servant should know their place. Let us NOT make Christianity about us. Let us NOT do service with us as the center. It is not about us; it is about the Messiah. Therefore, we point people to the Messiah, not us.

2. We are like the VOICE

   The prophets pointed to the coming of the Messiah. But John was the first to witness the prophecies of the coming Messiah. Then the apostles witnessed the Messiah’s suffering, death, and resurrection. We continue that witness.
   

3. We are UNWORTHY

   Using social norms, John the Baptist identified himself as lower than the lowest servant in contrast to Christ so men would see the greatness of the Messiah. Thus, we humble ourselves to the lowest and exalt Christ to the highest.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What is the significance of the Baptist’s disclaimer, “I am NOT?”

2. Who was John the Baptist then, according to himself?

3. How did John admit that he was unworthy, and why?