Encouragement

The Message And A Messenger

by Darlene Edmondson 
06/30/17
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“I am not the Christ but I am sent before Him. He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:28, 30 NKJV)

When news reached Jerusalem that John was compelling everyone to receive a baptism of repentance, the high priest ordered an investigation. Upon interrogation, the Baptizer replied, “I am the voice of one crying in a wilderness”. By this statement, John implied that he was not worthy of praise, nor deserving of glory, but only one to be heard. In the spirit of Elijah, he proclaimed ‘there’s One coming, mightier than I, whose sandals I’m not worthy to unloose’ (John 1:27). Though stripped of popularity, yet anointed by God, this Nazarite prophet lived in a desolate, deserted place. Here, he learned submission and readied himself to usher in a new order. Bridging a gap between the Old and New Testaments, declaring fulfillment of the long awaited Messiah.

Had the Hebraic generation fully understood Isaiah’s prophecy (700 years earlier), they would have believed John’s declarations. But like the wilderness he lived in, God’s people had become dry and barren. Nonetheless, both humble and bold, John heralded ‘good news’, making it clear that Jesus was the word (message) and he was merely a messenger “In the beginning was the Word, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1-14.) Hence, John pleaded with the nations to accept ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). In fact, truth-telling statements hastened his beheading.

Holy Father, in ourselves we are nothing, but in You, we are capable. Help us trust You as Savior and Lord. Equip us to be messengers, proclaiming Your Message, bringing many sons to glory. Amen