I. Wouldn’t you like to have known John the baptizer?
A. In these days of political correctness, wouldn’t you just like to know a man who gave you the unvarnished truth, whether or not it was easy to accept?
1. Lunch with him would be remarkable too; you would have to catch your own locusts (Matt. 3:4), if indeed this is the proper translation of the word.
Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4)
2. In this devotional, we will note that John was not the light but he witnessed the light and was that voice crying in the wilderness.
3. It must have been a significant act of contrition in order for John to recognize Jesus as his superior since huge crowds from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding areas were coming to John to be baptized (Matt. 3:5).
Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. (Matthew 3:5)
4. He may have even baptized those who would eventually become the twelve apostles.
5. Yet, he knew he was not worthy to even tie the sandals of Jesus (v. 11).
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11)

II. He was not the light.
A. But, how awesome it was that he witnessed the light!
1. For such a one, John was honored to “make straight” the path of Jesus.
2. I envision a man building a road through the wilderness so that the path for those who follow will not be impeded.
3. Don’t take the “rock moving” analogy too far.
4. Israel does have that topography that needed leveling.
5. However, doing that job figuratively required the kind of man that John was.
6. He was type-cast for the role of the voice crying out.
7. He was suited for it, he was passionate about it, and he did it well.
8. There is surely room in the kingdom for many different personality types, as there are nations of Chritians.

Conclusion and Application:
1. We need to seek the light of Jesus in our personal life.
2. I want to be a witness for Jesus, the one who has committed so much to me.
3. I also to need to remember that if Jesus was John’s superior, he is my superior as well.
4. Jesus desires to be relational with us (Matt. 11:28-29), but he will always have the right of disposition.
5. He is the light.

Invitation:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

By Gary Murphy