“John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” – Luke 3:16
John the Baptist was a charismatic and compelling figure in the 1st Century. He was the first true prophet the people had seen in centuries, a larger-than-life figure straight out of the scrolls of the Hebrew Scriptures. His call for radical repentance had the citizens of Israel traveling into the desert, turning their hearts and minds away from sin and back toward God. People flocked to John to repent of their sins and be baptized.
John was also crystal clear that he was just the opening act! He knew that God had sent him to prepare Israel for the coming of Messiah. John came to stir up the spiritual life of God’s people which had grown stagnant. John was to prepare the way for the Lord Himself to come to earth. He prepared people to receive Jesus. Jesus, the Christ, is the One infinitely greater than John. It’s Jesus Whose dusty sandals John feels unworthy to handle.
The ministry of God’s eternal Son Jesus is what John was preparing people for. He turned their minds toward God, then Jesus, Who is God, came and walked among them. He taught, He worked miracles, He loved. Then He voluntarily gave His life as a sacrifice on the cross, died, and rose from the dead. After ascending to heaven, it was Jesus Who sent forth the Holy Spirit to everyone who believes in Him. This is what John promised was coming, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Who’s given to everyone who believes in Jesus. The prophets from the first all the way to John prepared people for the main event. Jesus IS the main event, never get confused about that! Believe in Him and submit your life to Him for He alone is worthy. #FollowJesus