John the Baptist is Not the Christ - John 3:28

John the apostle shared how, “there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-eight of his book, John shared how John the Baptist told his disciples, “I am not the Christ” where we read:

You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

The verse reads, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, ...” John began with the words, “you yourselves bear me witness” which means “you, disciples of John the Baptist, your own selves testify, affirm and give a good report”, “that I said” or “that I, John the Baptist, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “I am not the Christ” or “I, John the Baptist, do not exist as the Messiah and Son of God”. John shared how John the Baptist reminded his disciples that they knew and could testify that he “declared” he was not God's Messiah.

The verse goes on to say, “... but that I am sent before him.”. John continued with the words, “but that I am sent” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, John the Baptist, am dispatched and assigned” “before him” or “in advance of Him, Jesus the Messiah”. John shared how John the Baptist told his disciples that he was sent “in advance” of the appearing of the Messiah.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how John the Baptist continued to respond to his disciples concerning their statement about Jesus and His disciples baptizing. John the Baptist knew his role was to be the “forerunner” to the Messiah Jesus. God had a plan for the “redemption” of mankind so He could live with them forever. John the Baptist was God's prophetic “messenger” who would announce the coming of the “Christ”, and when Jesus appeared, John the Baptist had performed His role. God is willing to use anyone who will submit their lives to His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him, He will not only forgive their sins, but He will assign them tasks which continue to promote His love and “good news” to all mankind.

Next time John shares how John the Baptist tells his disciples, “he that has the bride is the bridegroom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".