Who are You? - John 1:22

John the apostle wrote, “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”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-two of his book, John shared how the religious leaders asked John the Baptist, “Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us” where we read:

Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.

What say you of yourself?

The verse reads, “Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.” John began with the words, “Then said they unto him” or “at that time the religious leaders uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked John the Baptist”, “who are you” which means “what person do you exist as”? “that we may give an answer to them” or “so we, the Jewish priests and Levites, might provide, supply and furnish a reply and response to the people” “that sent us” which means “who dispatched, sent forth and appointed we priests and Levites”. John shared how the “religious leaders” continued asking John the Baptist who he was because they needed to provide a response to the people who sent them to question him.

The verse continues, “What say you of yourself?” John added the words, “what say you” which means “who do you utter, declare and proclaim that you, John the Baptist” “of yourself” or “pertaining to your own self”? John shared how the “religious leaders” continued to interrogate John the Baptist as to “what or who” he thought he actually was.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” were persistent in their questioning of John the Baptist. Though John the Baptist told them he was not “Elijah” or “that prophet”, they insisted that he give them an answer because they had to respond to the people who sent them. God's plan for mankind is not always understood, and when people question God's way of sending His Messiah and Son Jesus, they often directly oppose Him. God's plan was to extend forgiveness of sins and everlasting life to all who believe and trust in His Son Jesus, but many people were having difficulty in believing in His “forerunner”, John the Baptist, and His role in the Kingdom of God. Those who are wise will submit to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and understand this was God's plan of “salvation” for mankind to be “saved”.

Next time John shares how John the Baptist says, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness”, 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".