Who, what, why?

On this 3rd Sunday of Advent, we read the story of John the Baptist...

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. (Jn 1:6-8)

The Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to investigate John. They asked him a few questions:

Who are you?

What are you then? What do you have to say for yourself?

Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?

Let's look at John's response to the questions:

Who are you?

John responds in the negative... I am not the Christ. He wanted there to be no doubt in anyone's mind... he was not the anointed one of God, he was not Jesus, he was not the Savior.

Who are you? God knows who we are, but sometimes we allow others to dictate who we are; we allow our fears, our failures, our selfishness, our sin to keep us from becoming who we really are. John responded in the negative, but his reference point was Jesus. Are we allowing the enemy to whisper the negatives, and are we taking these to heart? Our identity is firmly established in Jesus; apart from Him, we are lost!

What are you? Why then do you baptize...?

John told the Jews he was the voice crying out in the desert; the one sent to prepare the way for Jesus. John baptized with water, but One much greater than he was coming... He would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

What are you, and why are you doing the things you do? What is your mission and purpose in life, and what are you doing to achieve this end? If you're still not sure, turn to Jesus; ask Him to show you His will for you. You have been uniquely gifted to accomplish the purpose God has for your life.

We were made to know, love and serve God... there's no greater purpose; and when our efforts flow from this goal, things start to fall into place... May we know Him and make Him known to others...