The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul spoke to the people in the synagogue in Antioch and said, “John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told how John the Baptist said, “there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose” where we read:
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
The verse begins, “And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he.” Luke began with the words, “and as John” which means “and during the time when John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was known as John the Baptist” “fulfilled his course” or “executed and completed and his, John the Baptist's, race or career”, “he said” which means “John the Baptist uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”, “whom think you that I am” or “what person do you, crowd of people gathered, suppose and surmise that I, John the Baptist, exist as”? “I am not he” which means “I, John the Baptist, do not exist as the Messiah”. Luke shared how John the Baptist made certain that the people listening to him did not “suppose” that he was the Christ and Messiah of God.
The verse continues, “But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.” Luke added the words, “but, behold” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover, lo, look and consider”, “there comes one after me” or “there arises and appears a person following and behind me, John the Baptist”, “whose shoes of his feet” which means “whose sandals upon his physical feet” “I am not worthy to loose” or “I, John the Baptist, do not exist as befitting, congruous or with merit to unbind and release”. Luke shared how John the Baptist told the people listening to him that One would follow him which he did not feel merited to unbind his sandals.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” referred to “John the Baptist” and the ministry he carried out on the earth. John was to promote the Messiah, and because people supposed that John was the Christ, he assured them there was one following him that was so valuable and honorable that he did not feel “worthy” to unstrap his sandals. “Paul” was leading the people in the synagogue to “Jesus” who is the “Savior and Lord” of the world. Everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. John the Baptist was not the “Messiah” and was unworthy to “loose” the straps on “Jesus'” sandals, and such is the case with everyone else. Only Jesus is worthy to receive glory and honor for being the “Savior” of the world.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “to you is the word of this salvation sent”, 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".
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