Who is Picasso? When we think about him, we think of one who produced thousands of paintings which helped bring beauty into our world. Who is Mickey Mantle? We know him as the centerfielder for the New York Yankees who brought fun and excitement into the lives of many young people. Who is Whoopi Goldberg? We think of her as a comedian who has awakened laughter and humor in the lives of many. When we think of famous people, we think of the unique gifts they had that enriched the lives of others.
Today as we launch into a new year, we meet a famous man who changed the course of history. He seemed to appear out of nowhere and preached in such a powerful way that many people repented and turned back to God. When he dunked people in the river, lives were changed, and sins were washed away. Religious leaders were concerned about his man because of the attention he was getting and sent out “reporters” to find out just who he was and who authorized him to do what he was doing (John 1:19-28).
“When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to (John) to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he admitted and did not deny it ‘I am not the Christ’ So they asked him, ‘What are you then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’ Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’”
John did not fit any of their categories. He quickly admitted he was not the Messiah, and when they probed him, he said he was neither the Elijah nor the Prophet that God promised Moses he would send. His answer did not satisfy them.
“Who are you so we can give an answer to those who sent us? He said: ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.’”
John was not an artist, an entertainer, or an athlete. He was a “voice.” God lived inside him and spoke through him, not in the crowded cities, but in a forsaken wilderness. His mission was to “cry out” to the people to get their lives in order for the Messiah was at hand.
“Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, ‘Why do you baptized?’…John answered them, ‘I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognized, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.’”
Again, John did not fit their categories. He was unique. There was one “among them” whom they didn’t recognize. He was so great that John was unworthy to bend down and tie his “shoestrings.” John was a small planet that pointed to the mighty sun. Though he had a great mission and was a powerful preacher, John knew he was a faint light in comparison to Jesus who walked among the people though they didn’t recognize him.
Now the question turns to us “Who are you?” What mission has God given each of us in the world? How do we speak God’s voice in the wilderness of our age? As John saw his identity in relationship to Jesus, we do the same. How do I fit into his Body?
The start of this new year is an ideal time to sit down in prayer and ask God to tell me who I am? What is my mission? How well am I carrying it out?
