Thoughts on the Gospel of John (8) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered, No. Then they said to him, Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.
John 1:19-24

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (8)
From the other three gospels we know that John the Baptist prepared the people for the Messiah. His call for repentance could not be overheard. The Pharisees were curious: who was this man? He had never been taught in their schools.

Profoundly impressed by Jesus Christ, John testified, "I am not the Christ." We do not read of a direct question whether John was the promised Redeemer. John's reply implied: "You have come to me, but I am not the One you need. I am not the Christ." As a faithful witness He does not speak of himself. The more they ask, the shorter his replies become. "Are you Elijah?" - "I am not." - "Are you the prophet?" - "No."

John refused to assume a name to show greatness. He did not consider himself the forerunner of the Messiah. It was the Lord Himself, Jehovah, whom the Jews knew from the Old Testament, and who was about to appear. So John calls himself merely a "voice" that obediently passes on a message, but will soon be silent.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Judges 9:26-57 · 2 Corinthians 9:1-15