not a self identity issue

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2374

John 1:19-23

Joh 1:19 This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Joh 1:20 He did not deny it, but admitted: “I am not the Messiah.”
Joh 1:21 “Who then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered.
Joh 1:22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “So we can give an answer to those who sent us. What are you saying about yourself?”
Joh 1:23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make the road of the Lord straight — just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

not a self identity issue

There is a lot of controversy in this generation about self identity. Some people want to redefine themselves, and others oppose it. When the delegation from the Jewish leaders came to John, they were all about who John was — or who he was saying he was. John deflected that attack by going to the scriptures. The important thing for John was not his own identity, but the identity of Christ, and getting people ready for Christ.

LORD, show us how to focus on you and who you are.