“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” (Matthew 3:11)
John the Baptist was a successful prophet. “Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him”, and many came to repentance (Matthew 3:5-6). When Jesus spoke about John the Baptist, He stated that “among those born of women none is greater than John” (Luke 7:28).
And yet, John speaks about Someone coming after him, “whose sandals I am not worthy to carry”. The One he is referring to, is Jesus Christ. John knew that He is far more than a prophet. He is the Messiah, for whom the Israelites had been waiting for centuries. He is God’s beloved Son (see Matthew 3:17). John announced Him both as Savior and as Judge of humanity. Jesus is not even comparable to other humans.
John adored and respected Jesus above everything. When his own disciples left him to follow Jesus, he said: “This joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30).
Do you understand why John found Jesus so utterly important? Do you agree?