Unworthy to untie His sandals

Unworthy to untie His sandals

SCRIPTURE:

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:6-8

OBSERVATION:

He had the classic image of a wild man, wearing rugged clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His diet was locusts and wild honey. He was truly a man of the wild, living in the outdoors, far from the pleasures of the world. And he had a solitary, true purpose, to prepare the way for the Messiah. His role was as a powerful witness. He declared to the masses to look to Jesus, and he stayed true to his calling till the day he died.

Now John said many powerful things to the people, but Mark only chooses three main points to tell us concerning the coming Messiah.

Firstly, He is more powerful than himself. Secondly, He is of such great standing that John was not worthy even to stoop down and untie his sandals. In other words, John was saying he was not worthy to even be the Lord’s lowest servant. Finally, John said that while he baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit!

What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? The Greek Word for “baptize”, actually means “to dip” or “to be immersed”. Therefore, the picture we get is for the Holy Spirit to cover us completely like water. In John’s gospel, Jesus explains to us this operation, describing it as living water from Him that would be like springs of water welling up in a person unto eternal life. Imagine, if a great river of water came into our hearts through our mouths. The water would come in, fill our hearts, and then overflow out again through our mouths back out again! In the book of Acts, this was evidenced time and again by believers starting to speak in new tongues! Paul later teaches us the tremendous value of this gift, which builds up our spirit man, making it strong for God’s service.

APPLICATION:

We can learn much from John’s attitude to our Lord. Although he was highly regarded among all the people of Israel, he readily declared that Jesus was infinitely more powerful, and that in fact, his status was such that he was not even worthy to be the Lord’s lowest servant. This too should be our attitude. We should not be proud and think that God is fortunate to have us serving Him and demand His blessing and favor. Instead, we should be quietly grateful and thankful that He has even given us the opportunity to serve Him at all! Even the great John the Baptist considered himself totally unworthy, what more us!

Also, we must hold the baptism of the Holy Spirit in high regard, considering that this was the main focus of John’s message considering Jesus’ ministry. For those of us who have already received the gift, we must value it, and speak in tongues often, building up our spirit man for God’s service. And we need to pray to Jesus to constantly pour out more and more of His Spirit on us. We need continually refilling! For those of us who do not have this baptism yet, we would do well to seek this gift earnestly, not passing it off as something we don’t need, or fearing it. If we ask God who gives good gifts to all His children, how can He give us anything bad? And if it is really not so important, why did John the Baptist emphasize it so much concerning the Lord?

PRAYER:

Precious Lord Jesus, fill us we pray, more and more with Your Holy Spirit. Let Your Spirit descend upon us like a waterfall, overflowing out of our hearts, and through our mouths in deep praise and worship to You, in new tongues that honor and worship You! Turn our hearts away from pride O Lord, but let us always have that humble attitude in knowing Your precious calling for us who do not deserve to be even Your lowest servants. Your name be praised and glorified always, precious, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!