Preferred Before John the Baptist - John 1:27

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 he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet?And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why do you baptize then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-seven of his book, John shared how John the Baptist continued, “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me” where we read:

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

The verse reads, “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, ...” John began with the words, “He it is” which means “this One who is standing among the religious leader is the One”, “who coming after me” which means “who arising, appearing and being established behind, aback and following John the Baptist” “is preferred before me” or “has come in advance, appeared and become prior to and in front of John the Baptist”. John shared how John the Baptist said the “One” who was standing among the “religious leaders”, although He was appearing after John the Baptist, actually appeared prior to John the Baptist on the earth.

The verse goes on to say, “... whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” John continued with the words, “whose shoe's lachet” which means “whose binding cord or leather strap of the shoe or sandal” “I am not worthy to unloose” or “I, John the Baptist, am not befitting, congruous or merited to unfasten, untie or release from bonds”. John shared how John the Baptist declared himself to be “unworthy” to “unfasten” the binding strap on the “shoe” of the “One” who was standing among the “religious leaders”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we discover the humility and knowledge of the position of John the Baptist. Though he was the “forerunner” to the Messiah, He knew Jesus existed in advance of Him. God's plan of salvation for mankind was unfolding, and John the Baptist knew his position was much lower than that of the “Christ” who was Jesus. Those who humble themselves and receive Jesus as their personal “Lord and Savior” will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words know Jesus is among us, and He is willing to save all who “believe and trust” in Him.

Next time John shares how, “These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan”, 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".