Not Worthy – John 1:19-28

Wayne’s World aficionados can’t help but smile when our intrepid duo find them selves in the presence of greatness.  “We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy, we’re not worthy,” as they bow on the ground in abject worship.  Though it may seem silly to bow to Alice Cooper or some other rock star, at least they have a sense of the value that comes with great accomplishment or character and acknowledge it.  John the Baptist had such a sense.

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”  And he confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”  And they asked him, “Who are you?  Are you Elijah?”  “I am not,” he answered.  “Are you the Prophet?”  He answered, “No.”  They said again, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us.  What do you say for yourself?”  John declared, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:  ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Now those sent to John were from the Pharisees, and they responded, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”  John answered them, “I baptize with water.  There stands among you one you don’t know, who is coming after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose.”  This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.  (John 1:19-28)

John’s ministry had caused enough of a stir among the people that the Pharisees sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to query John, wondering if he was claiming to be the Messiah (there had been others who had), or Elijah (whom Malachi predicted would come before the judgment day of God, Malachi 4:5-6, and whom Jesus said was John the Baptist if Israel accepted him as such, Matthew 11:14), or the Prophet whom Moses predicted would come in his place to lead the people (Deuteronomy 18:15-22, who is, in fact, Messiah). 

John denies being any of these but rather describes himself as the herald Isaiah talked about (Isaiah 40:3) who would come and prepare the way for Yahweh.  He is heralding Yahweh’s coming.  He doesn’t say he is heralding the Messiah’s coming, though when he says there is one among them whose sandals he is unworthy to untie, that could only mean the Messiah.

We, of course, know that Jesus is both Yahweh and the Messiah.  He is both God and the anointed man who will deliver Israel and indeed the whole earth.  And if we have been baptized in His name we too will catch grief from those who are worried about our claims, about our righteousness, and about our declaration of the truth that they too must submit to this Jesus if they wish to avoid the judgment when Elijah does come.

Discussion Questions

1. In whose presence have you felt unworthy, if ever?  Was it a good unworthy or a bad unworthy?
2. What does the Pharisees sending of a committee to John to find out who he was say about John?
3. Read Deuteronomy 18:15-22.  Who could Moses be talking about?  Why can’t Muhammed’s claim that he is this prophet be substantiated?
4. In what sense could John the Baptist be Elijah?
5. What do you feel and think when you read John’s self-description?
6. How should we express our valuing of Jesus?