I reckon that it’s a wise thing to get your Messiah right. In a world full of possible ‘saviours’, getting the right Saviour is crucial. And such a Saviour should be obviously identified, worth following and worth sharing, because they actually reveal a great reality.

It was no different in John’s day. In a world where Rome ruled, and aspired to dominate all of the world, where Israel had been oppressed for centuries, looking for a ‘messiah’, a ‘saviour of the world’ was a common practice. And there were many options that would come and go – and none of them delivered.

Here is John the Baptist making very clear that he is NOT the Saviour. His testimony is equally clear that the Saviour is coming. And today, to Israel, to all those willing to listen and pay attention, John the Baptist points out the Messiah – he clearly identifies him, he is clearly a man worth following, and he promises to reveal a great reality.