| Day 531: Read today's devotional on Bible Gateway. It's All about HimThis was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah." "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No." "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" 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!'" Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal." This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
(John 1:19-28) ReflectJohn was baptizing Jews. The Essenes (a strict monastic sect of Judaism) practiced baptism for purification, but normally only Gentiles were baptized when they converted to Judaism. When the Pharisees questioned John's authority to baptize, they were asking who gave John the right to treat God's chosen people like Gentiles. John said, "I baptize with water" (1:26)—he was merely helping the people perform a symbolic act of repentance. But soon one would come who would truly forgive sins, something only the Son of God—the Messiah—could do. John the Baptist said he was not even worthy to be Christ's slave, to perform the humble task of unfastening his shoes. But, according to Luke 7:28, Jesus said that John was the greatest of all prophets. If such a great person felt inadequate even to be Christ's slave, how much more are we encouraged to lay aside pride to serve Christ! RespondJohn's ministry was all about pointing people to Jesus. That kind of ministry takes humility as well as an awareness of God's love and presence. When we know we're loved, we gladly point the way to the one who loves us—Jesus. How do you point others to him? | 
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