As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 19, of Chapter One. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John writes:
“Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’ John said, ‘I am not’. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ , they asked. He answered, ‘No’. Finally, they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself.?’ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way for the Lord.’ Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him. ‘Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet.?’ ‘I baptize with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” (John 1: 19-28)
The Apostle John was careful to include the presence of John the Baptist as he gave the account of the beginning of the Ministry of Jesus, the Christ.
This was to fulfill the prophecy given hundreds of years before by the prophet Malachi as the Holy Spirit spoke through him saying,” See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. (Malachi 4:5) The Apostle John of course was with Jesus when the Lord confirmed John the Baptist saying, ” This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and violent people have been raiding it. For all of the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” (Matt 11:10-14)
John the Baptist assumed no greater role than to simply say, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way for the Lord.”
May this be so for each of us. Whatever our position is in the world, may our voice be heard as we live for the Lord. We make straight the way for others to come to Him by living in unconditional love, and grace, and mercy, and forgiveness for each other -by letting Him speak through us as others see Him in us as they see our peace.