Not the Christ - John 1:20

John the apostle wrote how, “this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?”, and in chapter one and verse twenty of his book, John shared how John the Baptist said, “I am not the Christ” where we read:

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

The verse reads, “And he confessed, and denied not;” John began with the words, “and he confessed” or “and John the Baptist conceded, promised, spoke out freely and declared openly”, “and denied not” which means “and did not abnegate, abjure, accept or refuse”. John shared how John the Baptist did not openly declare himself to be the one whom the “religious leaders” thought he was.

The verse continues, “but confessed, I am not the Christ.” John added the words, “but confessed” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover conceded, promised, spoke out freely and declared openly”, “I am not the Christ” or “I, John the Baptist, do not exist as the anointed One of God, the Messiah and Son of God”. John shared how John the Baptist openly admitted that he was not the “Christ, Messiah or Son of God”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” were wanting John the Baptist to declare to them who he was. John the Baptist openly declared to them that He was not “the Christ”, and because they enjoyed their control and rule over the “Jewish people”, they wanted John the Baptist to give an account of himself. John the Baptist was sent by God the Father to be the forerunner to His Son Jesus who is the Christ, and those who examine these things should understand there is no one else who is the “Christ, Messiah and Savior” of mankind. Those who are wise will yield their lives to Him and receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time John shares how the people say to John the Baptist, “what then? Are you Elias? … Are you that prophet?”, 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".