And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” John 1:19-20
He admitted it. He did not deny it. John knew it clearly. He is not the Messiah. Imagine priests and Levites coming together to visit him to ask him if he is the Savior they were waiting for. That’s big time! He was living a righteous life. He has followers. He was speaking God’s word. He was the voice calling out in the wilderness. He baptizes people with water. Yet he knew he has limitations. John knew he has boundaries. He cannot save us from our sins. He cannot take away the sins of the world. He cannot cure the sick. He cannot provide for the hungry five thousand men. He cannot turn water into wine in your wedding. He cannot walk on water. He cannot calm the storm. He will die but will not rise. Admire him for admitting it, “I am not the Messiah.” Honor him for being honest, “I am not the Messiah.”
Are we on the same page with John? Sometimes we have this so-called messianic complex. I find myself saying, “If I were there, the issue in the community would not have happened.” You find yourself beaming, “We are a prosperous church or a blooming organization or a well to do family because I get the job done.” We give ourselves a big pat on the back, “We are the answer to every problem.” We have achieved so much and we are educated so much that we think we do not have limitations. We have reached far beyond we dream of that we think we have no boundaries. Honestly, we are full of cannots. No achievement or education will define you limitless. No dream fulfilled will provide us an open world.
Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Savior. He is the Lord. He takes away the sin of the world. He saves us from sin and death. He is limitless. He knows no boundaries. He has no cannots. He has no will nots.
Admit it and do not deny it, “I am not the Messiah.” Jesus is.
HEADWIND CANOE 