This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’” vss., 19-20
John 1:19-28
The question of identity was important in the gospels. The priests and Levites asked John the Baptist, “Who are you?” Jesus later asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” In those days’ speculation about the Messiah was on every person’s mind. There were a couple of viable candidates, but which one was authentic? John or Jesus? The gospels make it clear that Jesus was the one hoped for, but that didn’t mean John was an imposter. He just had a different role–he was the one sent to prepare the way. We’ve pretty much got things squared away with Jesus and John–and have long ago accepted the testimony of scripture. But the question remains, “Who are we?” It’s not likely that we think of ourselves as the messiah–that kind of thinking can easily get us hospitalized. But we do wonder if we have some higher purpose. How is it that we’ve ended up in this place at this time? Could God have had anything to do with it? We can really drive ourselves crazy with this kind of thinking, and we might do well just to imitate John. We are called, but our role is more that of a loving, caring, self-sacrificing servant. Perhaps it would be wise to let Jesus be Jesus, and then be the best me that we can possibly be!
Thought for the Day: Who am I?
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