Wednesday, August 9
I am not worthy
Scripture: Mark 1
Mark 1:7 He proclaimed, “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals.”
Observation
John the Baptist was remarkable for many things, chief among them was his humility. Jesus said that no one greater had been born before him! And he was a recognized prophet in a time when there hadn’t been one for 400 years! He was a big deal.
But he constantly pointed away from himself and toward Jesus. “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30) And here, in his first recorded message, he starts with Jesus. “One more powerful than I am is coming after me.” He doesn’t start with himself, but with Jesus. Then: “I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandal.” Removing sandals was the job of the lowest servant (along with washing feet)—John said that he wasn’t worthy to do even that for Jesus.
John’s greatness lie in his humility.
Application
Two applications for me today.
First, start with Jesus. It’s easy for me to talk about myself. Today, I’d like to follow John’s example and start with Jesus, not me. What if I began more conversations with Jesus—how great He is? He is worthy!
Second, I am not worthy. I have a healthy self-esteem…except for when it isn’t, when I think too highly of myself. I define humility as knowing who you are and being comfortable with it (both the good and bad). It’s possible to compare oneself with another and feel superior; it’s impossible to do that with Jesus. And He is my model, my example. Looking to Jesus will keep me truly humble. Like John, I am not worthy to unfasten His sandals.
But…He is worthy! He is worthy of my attention, devotion and obedience. He must increase, I must decrease.
Prayer: Lord, I love You. You are worthy! Help me to praise You all day today, and to start with You, not me! And keep me humble!
More: Jeremiah 17-18, Revelation 12