Daily Devotional for Tuesday, December 23

The Misunderstanding About John

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,” Luke 3:16.

I have often wondered if John the Baptist got frustrated because people misunderstood him and his purpose. God had prophesied through Isaiah that John would prepare the people for the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:3). In the book of John, the Bible records a conversation between John the Baptist and the priests and Levites. They had come to John with the simple question, “Who art thou?” (John 1:19). He responded that he was not the Christ (verse 20). They then proceeded to further question him, asking if he was Elijah or another prophet (verse 21). He further responded “no”, and reminded them that his coming had been foretold (verse 23). Not only had the coming and ministry of John the Baptist been prophesied, he made it plain in his time that he was not the Messiah. His calling was to prepare the way for the Lord.

John the Baptist knew who he was, and he knew what he was supposed to do. He also knew who Jesus was, and how much greater He was than John. Even though the audience was sometimes confused, John never was. He once observed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

REFLECTION

Do you know Jesus as your Savior?

Chris Floyd