Daily Fire: Igniting Passion for God Each Morning

SATURDAY, 2 AUGUST 2025

TEXT: JOHN 1:19-28

19: Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.

20: He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21: They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

22: Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23: John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24: Now the Pharisees who had been sent

25: questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26: “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.

27: He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28: This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: I AM NOT THE CHRIST

The growing popularity of John the Baptist in and around Jerusalem triggered controversies and rumors about John's real identity. Many speculated that he could be the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet.

The aristocrats of Jerusalem sent delegations of priests and Levites to find out whether John is the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet.

John the Baptist emphatically stated that he was neither the Prophet, nor the expected Christ.

The delegation then asked, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us..." (vs. 22).

In light of John's fame and popularity, evidenced by the mammoth crowds attending his crusades (Luke 3:1-19), he must have been somebody important. But John chose to introduce himself as only a voice of one calling in the desert.

John refused to be the focus and insisted that the one who comes after him, Jesus, should be the focal point of his ministry.

The general attitude in Africa is that when one holds an office, one should grab as much as one can.

John the Baptist had an opportunity to be known as an important person, but he was contented with the ministry he had been given by the Lord. He was fully satisfied to be less than a servant so that Jesus' glory could be seen.

QUESTION: In Christian gatherings, do you focus on the messenger or the message?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive me for spending a considerable amount of time glorifying men instead of God.