I have been challenge over the past few days and reminded of who I’m not.  I think it is important in every facet of life to know who you are but also to know who you are not.

In John chapter 1 we meet this guy named John who is baptizing people and preaching a gospel of repentence.  In verse 20, He is confronted by some priests and temple assistants who ask him, “Who are you?”  The bible says that he responded by saying, “I am not the Messiah.”  Here’s the conversation:

“Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”^[i]

“No.”

22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”^[j]

I love this passage.  John never tells them who he is.  He simply tells them who he’s not!  He says, “I’m not important.  It’s not about me.”  The Leaders want to know his name and he tells them his calling.  “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness…”

In Chapter 3, we find John telling people who he’s not again.  In verse 28 he says, “ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

Here are a few things I wrote in my journal:

I am the messenger, Jesus is the message.

I am the best man, Jesus is the groom.

I must become less, He must become more.

Am I glad just to stand next to Jesus or am I grappling for the limelight?

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