I am not the Christ

Did you know you aren't God?

"Of course," you say!

But in the day to day, moment by moment happenings of life, don't we sometimes act like (or like to believe) we are in total control? Being in control of people and circumstances offers a sense of security; a reassurance that we won't be taken by surprise and experience something unpleasant. Being in control means if our loved ones follow our wise counsel, they too will be safe and secure. Well, try telling that to John the Baptist whose life was cut short when his head was cut off because of his faith in Jesus.

"Now this was John's testimony ... He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ.'" {John 1:19-20}

John knew he couldn't save a single person, and his driving passion in life wasn't to be in control of people or circumstances, but to point people directly to the One who could save them - Jesus.

When John encountered Emmanuel, he boldly proclaimed him to be the Son of God "who takes away the sin of the world!" (vs 29} He didn't seek comfort as a priority; he didn't hide in his own little corner of the world and keep the marvelous truth of salvation to himself and his own family; he didn't take credit for transforming lives. He simply and directly pointed broken people to the One who could heal them in the most profound and permanent way - by taking away their sin and offering them eternal life.

John knew he was not the Christ. And he knew who the Christ was. If John had been seeking to control his life and remain safe, he would have missed meeting Jesus altogether. He would have missed the opportunity to announce him as the Son of God to a massive crowd, many of whom believed in Jesus and were baptized as a result. So sure, he could have been safe ... safe and ineffective.

I'll admit sometimes I try to be God in my own little corner of the world - then the words of John remind me, "I am not the Christ." But praise God I know him and I can freely testify of his salvation and truth and let him take care of the outcome. The last thing I want is to be safe and ineffective. What a tragedy! God is in control. I'm not. And that is truly a place of rest no matter the circumstances.

So I will gladly and freely testify, "I am not the Christ. But I know him, and I trust him."

He is Emmanuel. God with us.