June 14, 2018 – Luke 3:15-16

Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3:15-16.

We set great store on being # 1 in this world. We think that being #2 is no glory at all in life.  When John began preaching repentance and baptizing, the people knew John must be the Messiah.  They longed for the Messiah to come and make their world a better place to live. It would have been difficult not to feel like #1. Yet John was born knowing Jesus to be greater than himself.

This is called humility. James 4:10 says – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”  Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, taught us to be humble by serving others.  He washed his disciples’ feet, He fed the five thousand, he healed the blind and the lamb.  Jesus died on the cross to show us His great love and to free us from sin.

Being aware of others’ needs before our own and serving them is humility in action.  Jesus teaches us to love others.  When our hearts and minds are centered on others’ needs, we give our hands and feet to care for others in humility.

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Luke 3:21-22.