John 1:19-28
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 John didn’t hold back; he openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21 They pressed him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22 “Then who are you?” they asked. “We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 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.’”
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent
25 questioned him, “If you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why then do you baptize?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.
27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
In Jewish culture, people wore simple sandals outdoors and removed them upon entering a home. Untying sandals and washing feet were tasks for the lowest servant of the household. Yet, John the Baptist humbly declared that he wasn’t even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals—a humility that’s truly moving.
The more I experience the precious grace of Christ, the more I see myself as I truly am—fragile, unworthy. This realization stirs a deep humility in my heart. I genuinely feel that I’m “not even worthy to untie His sandals.” This spirit of humility and surrender is the most beautiful mark of a Christian life. When we truly yield ourselves before God, our hearts soften, like lambs resting in the Shepherd’s arms, quietly trusting in His love and guidance. What a beautiful sense of belonging this is.
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