John 1:19-40 - Becoming Less

There is something very encouraging and helpful for me reading about John the Baptist. Maybe it’s because of my flesh, and pride that is continuously being refined and pruned. Isaiah gives us John’s mission. 

“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here in John 1, we read of the religious leaders wanting to know who this man was.

“Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John’s response is fascinating. John did not answer the question; he did not tell the leaders who he was, John told the Jewish leaders who he was not. So much application in just this single sentence, John was not trying to build his platform, or trying to draw attention to himself (even though he was very popular,) John stayed focused on his mission, pointing people to Jesus. 

Recognize the temptations here for John the Baptist. John had followers, lots of them.  Barclay wrote: “As late as a.d. 250 the Clementine Recognitions tell us that ‘there were some of John’s disciples who preached about him as if their master was the Messiah.'”

So, some of John’s disciples were actually claiming that he was, in fact, the Messiah. John the Baptist did not allow this to go to his head, to lean into that temptation, he at every turn denied it, and tried to point everyone to the coming Christ. 

I think about this and am blown away by the humble leadership this takes. John was obviously a strong and charismatic leader who was so gifted and talented that many of his disciples were convinced he was the Messiah. But John, humble stayed on track and on mission and continued to point people to the real Christ, the coming Messiah. 

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1:29-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John was on mission and knew his calling. A few final scriptures and thought;

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1:35-37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John was experiencing loss, disciples leaving, and seeing many he developed and lead follow Jesus. If John was not on mission and didn’t have his calling in the right place, this could of derailed him. But John, the humble leader he was stayed focused and knew what he was called to do. He responded to this very question, and situation in chapter 3.

“To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:27-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus must become greater; I must become less. May that be my prayer today! May I continue to become less as I point people to Jesus. Father, keep me humble, and may your grace upon grace flood over me and may my response be offering grace to others. Amen.