Intro: What do you have to say about yourself? How we see ourselves in this natural world has everything to do with who we know we are in the spiritual realm. If we have our focus on earthly things and want to gain a sense of identity or belonging from the world, we will demand this present culture and social institutions satisfy us. There is a lot of that going on in our culture now. If we are focused on heavenly things, we will reach for the gracious hand of Christ to provide for us and live satisfied in the abiding presence of God knowing we belong to him. If we know who we are in the Spirit, then we will never be satisfied by the temporal things of this world nor will we ever fit into the culture that demands for the world to be its god.
Scripture teaches John the Baptist is the first to identify Jesus as the Son of God. John knows who he is in the spiritual realm; therefore, John knows who he is in relationship to Jesus. As well, please notice John the Baptist knows who he isn’t when facing the questions issued by the religious leaders. John wants to be known as a voice shouting in the wilderness! As believers, we must know who we are, as well as who we are not. Like John, we are voices calling people from the dark places they have settled to come and meet Jesus who baptizes his own with the Holy Spirit of Truth.
John 1:19-23 NLT
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us know who we are in relationship to you. We look forward to your Second Coming. In Jesus’ name. Amen.