Remember Your Place (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 2, and John 1)
Do you struggle with the need to feel important? John the Baptist knew his role was to point to Jesus not promote himself and we are called to do the same.
Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 2:39-3:18; John 1:1-28
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Do you struggle with the need to feel important?
This is a hangup for many Christians who know life is all about Jesus but struggle to live as though this is true. Power struggles arise, egos emerge, and thoughts of living as Christ are pushed aside. But this was not the case for one man.
John the Baptist was one who, even though he was Jesus’ cousin, spent his public ministry years preaching repentance and preparing those who listened to get ready for the Messiah. In Mark 1:7-8 we see these words of John: 7 “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The imagery John uses is significant. As James Edwards writes, “The loosing of sandals and washing of feet were duties of slaves, indeed of only Gentile slaves, in first–century Judaism.”[1] In some cases, this was seen as a task even too low for slaves.[2] But John is drawing a sharp contrast between him and Jesus. There is to be no comparison. It’s not John’s ministry and Jesus’ ministry. It’s all Jesus because Jesus was and is God.
This is why John uses the language in verse 8 that he baptized with water while the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. He’s making a declarative statement about who Jesus is. Edwards offers this helpful clarification when he says,
In the OT the bestowal of the Spirit belongs exclusively to God. John’s declaration, according to Mark, transfers the bestowal of the Spirit to Jesus, once again indicating that, as the Greater One, Jesus will come in the power and at the prerogative of God. The spiritual power of the messianic baptism will thus supersede the symbol of water in human baptism.[3]
John knows who he is, but even more importantly, he knows who Jesus is.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Jesus, I praise you for your greatness and perfect plan of salvation. You are mightier than all and have come to redeem and baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Your power and grace are beyond our understanding, and I worship you for your incredible love and mercy.
Release | I release my pride and self-reliance, acknowledging that I am unworthy even to untie your sandals. I surrender my fears and doubts, trusting in your promise to fill me with your Holy Spirit. Let go of my past mistakes and embrace your forgiveness and renewal.
Ask | I ask for your guidance and strength to follow you wholeheartedly. Baptize me anew with your Holy Spirit, empowering me to live a life that reflects your love and truth. Help me to be a faithful witness to others, sharing the hope and salvation found in you.
Yield | I yield my will to yours, committing to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. I submit my plans and desires to your perfect will, seeking to honor you in all I do. Use me, Jesus, to advance your kingdom and bring glory to your name.
