How would react to someone asking you, “Who are you?” We like to be recognized and known. But, when what we are doing is odd or out of place for a person with our background, do you react positively or defensively? In John 1:19-27, John was approached by the religious leaders and asked who he was? They were confused by his message for people to repentance and to be baptized.

“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.’” John was honest with them and told them plainly who he was and who he was NOT. He did not try to take any glory for himself but pay it forward to the one who was coming- Jesus.

²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” ²⁶ “I baptize 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.” John tried to clarify for them his purpose and place. Yes, he did call for people to repent and turn or return to God and whole hearted allegiance to Him, but he did not claim to be the Messiah. He knew the scriptures and why they were questioning him but he faithfully pointed them to the coming Messiah.

The picture I get from this passage is of a humble servant of God doing his part for the furtherance of the kingdom with great humility. He did not take credit or make claims. He wanted God to get all the glory and for the focus to be on the one who was to come, Jesus. What about you? When you are serving at church or work or in the community, do you serve with humility? Do you try to take credit for you achievements in a prideful or boasting manner? We need to take pride in our work and credit for those things we do, but not let it be pride filled. Scripture is filled with verses about humility. Here are a few to ponder:

Psalm 25:8 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

May our actions be humble and bring Glory to God this week.

Linda