Confident Humility

Scripture – Mark 1:4-8: ⁴And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: Here we meet John – the way-maker prophesied by Isaiah. What a sight he must have been. Yet his call to repentance shot around the region like lightening. People – all kinds of people – came out to confess their sins and be baptized as a sign of their repentance. At the same time, John always pointed beyond himself to the one coming after him.

John knew who he was – and who he was not. He was helping people get ready for Jesus. In that, he lived with a confident humility.

The church is all about Jesus Christ. In all we do and say, if He’s not the focus, we’re off base.

Lord, please keep me (us) clear today as to who we are and who you are. Through my life may you be glorified today. I don’t know how to make that happen. Teach me to let it happen.