The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” John 1:19
The world is always fascinated with people. That is why we make celebrities and want to know the inside story of their private lives.
They said to John, “We want to know more about you.” The pressure is on for John to make his ministry about himself. Notice what John says, and what we must make clear about ourselves.
1. Savior? “He confessed… ‘I am not the Christ.’” (1:20). John gives a clear, emphatic answer: “The answer to the great needs of other people does not lie in me.” It is easy to get the idea that we can fix others’ problems. But we are not the Savior of our friend, our child, or our spouse. That is a role we cannot fulfill, a burden we cannot bear.
2. Wonder worker? “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not” (1:21).
Elijah performed great wonders by the power of God. His prayers stopped the rain for three years, raised up a boy who was dead, and called down fire from heaven. John did no miracles.
3. Law-giver? “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No” (1:21).
The reference here is to Deuteronomy 18:18, where God says to Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you… and I will put my words in his mouth” (Deut. 18:18). John says ‘No.’
What we say about ourselves matters. We are not the Christ. We are not able to solve the world’s problems. We are not in the business of telling everyone what to do. We need to stand with John today and confess: “We are not saviors or prophets.”
What do you say about yourself by your words and actions?
