“but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear” -Matthew 3:11 KJV
“There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” -Mark 1:7 KJV
“but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose” -Luke 3:16 KJV
“He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” -John 1:27 KJV
If you’ve read the four gospels, you know that they all go hand in hand with the account of Jesus. Sometimes, however, one gives a bit more information than the other.
But what about John the Baptist?
It’s no accident that in all four accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John… that John the Baptist is given an opportunity to be humble. He humbled himself.
There he was, preaching in the wilderness, baptizing others, and sure, he could’ve taken credit. He could’ve made an even bigger name for himself than what he already had. Obviously people knew him. The Pharisees knew him. The king knew him. I mean, who hadn’t heard about this wild man wearing sackcloth and eating locusts and honey?!
He had power. He had position. But he knew… oh my, did he know… his purpose. John the Baptist knew his calling and his purpose: to prepare the way for the one alone who could save souls: Jesus Christ.
In each and every account from the gospels, as stated in the verses above, John the Baptist intentionally humbles himself and gives credit where credit is due. He doesn’t make himself greater than what he is. He magnifies the name of Jesus while minimizing his own.
In every instance he talks about his unworthiness to even loosen a filthy, dirty sandle from the feet of The One, True King. He knows his power. He knows his position. But he ultimately knows his purpose.
If you’re a saved child of God who gets discouraged and says, “I don’t know my purpose in life.” Sweet friend, let me remind you; we all have a purpose. If you’re walking in the will of the Lord Almighty, your purpose is just like John’s: to prepare the way.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” -Mark 16:15 KJV
Now back to my original question: What about John the Baptist?
Ha. If John the Baptist could answer that question I bet he would answer it like this: “What ABOUT John the Baptist? It’s not about me. It’s about Him!”
Keep your focus. If God gives you an opportunity to be humble, take it. Don’t try to take credit that’s not yours. Don’t let your power or your position get in the way of your purpose: to prepare the way for Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Joyous Journey 