Devotionals
Have you ever encountered this question? If ‘yes’, did you have an answer for that? If you say ‘no’ then you are facing an identity crisis. Do not get alarmed for it is a positive sign of your forward movement of close walk with Christ. As one progresses in the spiritual realm, facing this question ‘who are you?” also increases with every step taken forward in the race of pressing towards the goal. One is called to strip off those thing weighing one’s spirit down by focusing on the Lord.
Who questions you?
Those who are curious to know your growth will ask this question to you. It means that your growth has impacted their lives in someway or the other perhaps positively or negatively. Probably they have heard about you through someone and desperately want to know ‘who you are’. Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem with the same question to a man named John. The sermon, counseling, baptism and ministry of John spread like wild fire. People came to the wilderness from other places to get a word from God through John.
Beware of labels
These priests and Levites were under compulsion to offer an answer acceptable to those higher officials who sent them. John boldly confessed without any denial “I am not the Christ.” The reason being, Jews were eagerly waiting for the ‘Messiah’. However, the priests and Levites were not convinced with his confession. They probed seeking for a suitable answer with many other questions such as “What then? Are you Elijah?” They tried to somehow put this positive label upon John but he politely replied, “I am not.” In fact, he told them that title was not meant for him. Now understanding that their specific question did not work, they put forth another one quite general in nature. “Are you the Prophet?” It is wonderful to be called a prophet and this is what today people seek after. Pride gains easy entry into any humble servant of God the moment he hears someone introducing from the pulpit, ‘shall we welcome the man of this hour, the prophet of God so and so’ Once again John replied with humility. “No.” Being displeased with his answer, they shouted in chorus, “What do you say about yourself?” John resisted the temptation of yielding to be labeled. Just examine if you have been carried away by sugar coated words thrown at you recently.
Revoking Reply
John gave them this ready response. “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” “ as the prophet Isaiah said. Do you have a specific answer for the question “who are you?” placed by anyone at you? Unless you are assured of your calling in Christ you cannot give such a firm reply that could revoke their former belief or thoughts about you. While being in the heights of the ministry, John perhaps had the opportunity to call himself as Christ but if he were to say that then the consequences probably cannot be comprehended. It would be drastic. Many fail when they do not have a specific and sure response. Standing firm on your calling is a darling act all by itself. If every part of the body wants to be an eye then imagine how would that be? Awful isn’t? If God has placed a person as a feet and if that one is busy trying to perform the duty of an arm then God cannot effectively use that part. If we are called to be the hand then let us be the best hand for God.
Permit Progress
Two disciples of John heard him speak about Jesus and John saw that they followed Jesus. Now how does that sound? Humanly speaking it is something impossible to witness. Leaving a leader and following someone about whom the leader told. John, always spoke to His disciples about the far superior virtues and qualities of another leader. Therefore he was not annoyed when his followers joined a much more superior leader. In fact, he motivated them to follow Christ for he knew that for that purpose he had been called. Drawing people and making way for them to accept and know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. This is possible only when the Holy Spirit works within a soul. Those who have a high calling of drawing and directing precious perishing souls to the Light, Way and Truth instead of growing a green eye would reject who they progress in their spiritual life.
The testimony of John the Baptist indeed is perfect for he rejected labels that were not meant for him, he knew his calling that is where he was heading to, he had a ready revoking reply and had moulded his heart to rejoice permitting the progress of that soul which has understood what he expounded.
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A very interesting perspective, with a lot of good information for all of us. Thanks for sharing.
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