We're not worthy
This week is on Luke 3:15-16:
I read these verses in another language, and it opened my eyes to their meaning. I hear the word 'powerful' so many times that its meaning isn't very specific. But the language I read it in used the word 'stronger' which brought things into focus. I could only find one English translation that used the word this way:
So, the people were impressed with what John was saying and the miraculous connection he had with God. It makes sense, because he was the greatest of the prophets up until that point. The thing is, even as an amazing prophet, more spiritual than any of us, he was nothing compared to God. John was this little twiggy guy, and Jesus was this massive hulking prince. John in his awesomeness, by value comparison, wasn't even worthy to be the lowest of Jesus' servants, the guy appointed to take his smelly shoes off when he settles into a chair.
John baptised people with water. That's what people use to clean each other. It's cold and gentle, and it takes the dirt and carries it away. Jesus baptises people with fire and the Holy Spirit. That changes people. It destroys filth permanently. If you were going to be operated on, would you rather the surgeon cleaned his tools with water out of the creek, or sterilized them with flames hot enough to kill bacteria?
People saw in John something as awesome as they could imagine. John's response was "You have no idea..." Jesus brings us real power and real change. He defines awesome. Like if Jesus was more awesome than anything we could imagine, the definition of awesome would actually grow to include how awesome Jesus is.
Whatever we see people do now, it is nothing compared to what God can do. It's important to keep that in mind. If people had settled for John, would they have known Jesus? Would we know about him today? Without knowing to look for God's glory, we stop and settle for glorifying mankind. Part of what made John such a great prophet was that he was aware of that.
Don't settle for having other people mediate your relationship with God. Don't put them in his place. None of us can fill those shoes. Go to God directly and experience his glory. He is available to us, both as individuals, and as a united church. Don't settle for less.
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
I read these verses in another language, and it opened my eyes to their meaning. I hear the word 'powerful' so many times that its meaning isn't very specific. But the language I read it in used the word 'stronger' which brought things into focus. I could only find one English translation that used the word this way:
The people were in a great state of expectation and were inwardly discussing whether John could possibly be Christ. But John answered them all in these words, “It is true that I baptise you with water, but the one who follows me is stronger than I am—indeed I am not fit to undo his shoe-laces—he will baptise you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
So, the people were impressed with what John was saying and the miraculous connection he had with God. It makes sense, because he was the greatest of the prophets up until that point. The thing is, even as an amazing prophet, more spiritual than any of us, he was nothing compared to God. John was this little twiggy guy, and Jesus was this massive hulking prince. John in his awesomeness, by value comparison, wasn't even worthy to be the lowest of Jesus' servants, the guy appointed to take his smelly shoes off when he settles into a chair.
John baptised people with water. That's what people use to clean each other. It's cold and gentle, and it takes the dirt and carries it away. Jesus baptises people with fire and the Holy Spirit. That changes people. It destroys filth permanently. If you were going to be operated on, would you rather the surgeon cleaned his tools with water out of the creek, or sterilized them with flames hot enough to kill bacteria?
People saw in John something as awesome as they could imagine. John's response was "You have no idea..." Jesus brings us real power and real change. He defines awesome. Like if Jesus was more awesome than anything we could imagine, the definition of awesome would actually grow to include how awesome Jesus is.
Whatever we see people do now, it is nothing compared to what God can do. It's important to keep that in mind. If people had settled for John, would they have known Jesus? Would we know about him today? Without knowing to look for God's glory, we stop and settle for glorifying mankind. Part of what made John such a great prophet was that he was aware of that.
Don't settle for having other people mediate your relationship with God. Don't put them in his place. None of us can fill those shoes. Go to God directly and experience his glory. He is available to us, both as individuals, and as a united church. Don't settle for less.
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