Ep. 107 | Make Straight the Way for the Lord | John

 "Make straight the way for the Lord." John the Baptist's example of staying firm in his purpose, even when confronted by religious rulers, can inspire us to live with purpose and focus in our own lives.

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Transcript

Join the WellSoul email list and never miss an encouragement or resource to live with a well soul through knowing God's Word, walking with God, and living with purpose. See the link in the show notes. 

Welcome to the WellSoul Podcast, where we pause to drink in Scripture, reflect, and pray. I am your host Shauna Scott, and sometimes life leaves our souls feeling parched. So come to the well of living water that never runs dry. 

Today we continue the first chapter of the Gospel of John. In summary, before our selected reading for today, John, the writer, shares that John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and basically said, this is the one I told you about, the grace provider. 

In today's passage, religious rulers come and question John. Who is this crazy prophet out in the wilderness baptizing people? As you listen to the passage today, notice John's confidence and humility in the words he uses to respond to the religious leaders. 

Before I read, take a deep breath, quiet your mind, and focus your whole being on the words of scripture. Again, listen for John's confidence and humility in how he responds to the religious leaders. 

John 1, 19-28 

Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, I am not the Messiah. They asked him, then who are you? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No. Finally they said, Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John replied in the words of Elijah the prophet, I am the voice of the one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way for the Lord. Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him. Why then do you baptize if you're not the Messiah nor Elijah nor the prophet? I baptize with water, John replied, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. This all happened at Bethany, on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 

What stuck out to you? Think about it for a moment. 

I'm going to re-read these verses. Listen again for John's confidence in who he is and his humility in how he responds to the Pharisees. 

John 1, 19-28 Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, I am not the Messiah. They asked him, then who are you? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, no. Finally, they said, who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, I am the voice of the one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way for the Lord." Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him. Why then do you baptize if you're not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? I baptize with water, John replied. But among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me. The straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan where John was baptizing. 

What stuck out to you? Dwell on this for a moment. 

Important and powerful people in John's day came to check him out. If something like that happened today, we could imagine the ministry leader would be tempted to absorb the accolades, to maybe take credit for being something important. But not John. John over and over said, "Nope, I am not." 

Let's take note of John's humility and his confidence in his purpose. We too have purpose in Christ Jesus to make disciples just like John made disciples by pointing them in the way toward Jesus and keeping them in a life of repentance. We are not, but we know the great I AM. 

In light of the story of John the Baptist, how are you pointing people to the great I AM? Pray about this or anything else on your heart. 

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