UBF Daily Bread

I AM NOT, HE IS THE ONE

Passage: John 1:19~28

Key verse: 27

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹Now this was John’s^(A) testimony when the Jewish leaders^[a]^(B) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”^(C)

²¹They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”^(D)

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”^(E)

He answered, “No.”

²²Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

²³John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,^(F) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”^[b]^(G)

²⁴Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

²⁶“I baptize with^[c] water,”^(H) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷He is the one who comes after me,^(I) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”^(J)

²⁸This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,^(K) where John was baptizing.

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Footnotes

John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)

1. Who are you? (19-23)

John became popular. The Jewish leaders, priests and authorities asked who he was? John said clearly, "I am not the Messiah." He talked about himself less and less: "I am not"; "No!"; "I am a mere voice in the wilderness." He found his mission from the prophecy of Isaiah to make straight the way for the Messiah. We should find our identity and mission from God. As God's chosen shepherd and missionary we should talk less and less about ourselves to lead people more and more to the Messiah, Jesus!

2. He is the one (24-28)

Still they asked, "Why then do you baptize?" John baptized with water to prepare sinners to repent their sins. It was to lead them to the Messiah whom the people still didn't know. His purpose was to reveal and exalt Jesus who comes after him. John even said he was not worthy to be his slave. What a beautiful example John showed as a servant of God's word who should exalt Jesus only!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for John's good example. Let me also reveal and exalt you only.

One Word: Jesus is the Messiah. Reveal and exalt him only!

Daily Bread

I AM NOT, HE IS THE ONE

Passage: John 1:19~28

Key verse: 27

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

Footnotes

Cross references

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