Thursday | Week 1
Many years ago, I accompanied a friend to West Africa. For two weeks, we took turns carrying a large wooden cross on our shoulders. As we walked, curious onlookers began to follow. As soon as a crowd of 50-100 intrigued people had gathered around us, we stopped for a drink of water and shared the Gospel. A team of native pastors translated for us, and their churches eagerly embraced those who responded to the love of Jesus.
As we traveled far from the city, something unexpected happened. People began to ask my friend and me, “Are you Jesus?” These people had obviously heard a story about a man who carried a cross, but were unaware that this event took place 2,000 years ago. In a predominantly illiterate area, even those who possessed a Bible weren’t accurately educated on the life and ministry of Jesus. For all they knew, Jesus was actually paying them a visit that day.
Without hesitation, I answered, “I am not Jesus, but I am His friend. And He wants to be your friend, too.” I suppose that answer is sufficient and true, but I like John the Baptist’s answer to that question better than my own.
In John 1, we see religious authorities in Jerusalem closely examining the identity of John the Baptist with a very basic question: “Who are you?” John the Baptist emphatically confesses: “I am not the Christ.” He went on to deny being the prophet Elijah or The Prophet. After declaring the three things he was not, the Baptist identified himself with three “I am” statements:
I am a voice to prepare you for the coming Messiah.
I am a baptizer in water.
I am unworthy to untie the sandals of the One who is coming.
So, John the Baptist preaches and baptizes, but he does so with extreme humility.
Let me ask you: Who are you? Are you able to answer this question with confidence in who you are, while acknowledging who you are not?
As Christian disciples, we should be able to identify as teachers, social workers, evangelists, encouragers, and so on. John the Baptist reminds us that Christians are messianic, but there is only one Messiah. We ought to look like Jesus, but with extreme humility, always elevate Him above ourselves.