24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, 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.”

28 All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Wong

I recently saw a post-match interview for a football game. Without hesitation, the player being interviewed jumped in and said, “I’d like to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ…”. I must admit, it felt a little cringy to me when I first saw it. But the more I think about it, the more I realise there’s something I need to learn from him. Here is a believer who is eager to turn the spotlight to Jesus whenever he has the opportunity.

When I read today’s passage about John the Baptist, I see the same attitude on display. The Pharisees gave John multiple opportunities to turn the spotlight on himself. Yesterday we heard how they asked him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (v 22). He could have said “Yes, I am the great prophet foretold in the Old Testament.” But by quoting Isaiah 40, he simply calls himself “a voice in the desert.” The important one is not John, but the one he is paving the way for: “the Lord”!

When John is quizzed again in v 25, he again replies by pointing to Jesus. Even though Jesus came after John, so John could have claimed superiority, he emphasises that the one coming is so glorious that John is not even worthy to untie his sandals.

I am challenged by John’s humility and his clear understanding of Christ’s glory. In those moments in life when the spotlight is placed on me, John challenges me to use my voice (and actions) to turn that light onto Christ, who deserves all the honour and praise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken in a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.