John
was much later described by Jesus as “second to none.” (John 5:36) He was a trailblazer, a pioneer, a powerful
voice calling a depraved generation to live lives worthy of the God who claimed
them as His own. Through his powerful
preaching and passion, many came to repentance and were changed for the better. John could have chosen to seek center
stage—he certainly had the following.
But
John always chose to take the “road less traveled.” He was not seeking the limelight. He understood his calling from God as one consisting
of paving the way for the Anointed One. His
prophetic voice ushered in the Kingdom of God and the accompanying salvation
for all who believed.
Yet
in his own self-deprecating way He clears the air of any confusion as to who he
is and who is the great I AM who will come in his wake. His ministry is powerful—but
the One following him is the “Almighty Father.”
John preaches repentance leading to conversion—but the One about to
arrive on the scene will preach truth leading to salvation. We don’t deserve to even untie his shoes, but
he becomes the One who becomes the sin-bearer for all of us—something He didn’t
deserve. Now perhaps you understand why
John felt so humbled by the One who about to make his appearance. I wonder at times if I am equally humbled by
the gift of heaven or if has become so familiar that it has lost its life-changing
power in my life.
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