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When John the Baptist was confronted by the religious leaders of his day, they asked him the question that echoes through every generation who are you? In a world where identity is often measured by titles, achievements and credentials, john's answer was striking in its humility I am not the Christ, I am a voice. In this episode, pastor Harriet spores John, chapter 1, 19 to 20, examining what it means to find our identity not in ourselves but in our calling to prepare the way for Jesus. Through John's testimony we see the beauty of humility, the power of obedience and the calling to be a voice pointing others to Christ. Join Pastor Harry as he unpacks what it means to step aside so that Jesus can be seen more clearly.

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Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway. I'm your host, Pastor Harry Behrens. And today we're stepping into the dusty roads of John, chapter 1, verses 19 to 28, where a group of religious leaders approaches John the Baptist with a direct question who are you? But let's not just breeze past that Pause with me and think If someone asked you that today, how would you answer? And if we dig a little deeper, whose are you and what gives your voice authority? Now, before we enter that moment on the river bank, here's a quick flyover of where we've been.

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In episode one, we saw John, chapter one, verses one to three. We met Jesus as the eternal word. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. All things were made through him. In episode two, we covered verses four and five. Showed us that in him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. The kind of life that light pushes back every shadow. The kind of life that light pushes back every shadow. Then, in episode 3, we covered verses 6 to 18. It brought us close. The word made known. John the Baptist bore witness and we heard the promise that to all who did receive him, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born of God, and that from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. No one has ever seen God, the only God who is at the Father's side. He has made him known.

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With that backdrop, the stage is set. The prologue gives way to the first on-the-ground moment. A delegation steps out from Jerusalem to the Jordan with one burning question who are you? John's gospel shows us that identity isn't just about what you do. It's tied to who you belong to and the mission you've been given. And John the Baptist's response? It's not a list of achievements or credentials, it's a humble embrace of the role God gave him. That sets the stage for the opening scene, an interrogation that forces John to define himself not in the eyes of man but in light of his calling.

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This encounter begins with an interrogation the priests and Levites sent by the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They come to question John the Baptist, not out of curiosity but out of concern. John is drawing crowds, preaching repentance and baptizing with authority, but with no official credentials. Who are you, they ask. It's a loaded question, and yet John responds with bold humility he says I am not the Christ, I am not Elijah, I am not the prophet. He defines himself not by who he is, but by who he is not. Only then does he clarify I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness Make straight the way of the Lord. Today we face similar questioning, Whether from others or from within who are you to speak for God? Where did you get your authority? And here's the truth.

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Ordination in man's sight may open doors in religious circles, but it means nothing in determining God's call. Heaven's authority does not rest on a framed certificate, the laying on of human hands or recognition from an institution. It rests on the sovereign choice of God. Throughout history, he has delighted in using the ones the world overlooked, the uncredentialed, the underestimated. So that no one can mistake the source of the power, Just look at the record DL Moody he was never ordained, yet led thousands to Christ. Dl Moody he was never ordained, yet led thousands to Christ. Aw Tozer he had no formal schooling beyond sixth grade, yet became a prophetic voice for the church. Charles Spurgeon was called the prince of preachers, yet never held a degree. And Dr HA Ironside he pastored Moody Church without ever being ordained, refusing to compromise his convictions. These men didn't need human approval to fulfill their calling, because the one who called them had already given them his authority.

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As Paul wrote Paul an apostle, not from men alone, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, Galatians 1.1. The point is this God doesn't need credentials, he uses obedience and the question no longer who are you, but whose are you? When John denies being Elijah, he's not contradicting Jesus, who later said he is Elijah, not contradicting Jesus who later said he is Elijah who is to come. The key is understanding that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, not as a reincarnation but as a prophetic forerunner. Luke 1, verse 17 says and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared Like Elijah.

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John boldly confronted corrupt rulers. Elijah said to King Ahab I have not troubled Israel, but you have because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 1 Kings 18. John said to Herod it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. Mark 6. 18. They dressed as a desert dweller. Prophet Elijah wore a garment of hair with a belt of leather around his waist 2 Kings 1. 8. John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locust and wild honey. In Mark 1.6. They both called people to repentance. Elijah urged Israel if the Lord is God, follow him. 1 Kings 18.21. And John proclaimed repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3.2. You don't need Elijah's name to carry Elijah's fire. You just need the same spirit.

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When John calls himself a voice, he's doing more than quoting Isaiah 40, verse 3. He's declaring his role to prepare the way, not to take the stage. That's our calling also. Are we content being just a voice? Too often we want recognition, applause or significance, but God is looking for those willing to disappear behind the message, because it's not about the messenger, it's about the one who's coming. Just look at the state of many pulpits today. Churches are dimming the lights, turning up the fog machines and crafting worship services that resemble concerts more than sacred assemblies. Pastors enter to applause, deliver motivational talks wrapped in scripture and subtly shift the spotlight to themselves or their brand. The focus drifts from the word of God to the charisma of the preacher, from God's glory to church's popularity. But John the Baptist wasn't building a platform, he was preparing a path, and that should still be our model today. And that should still be our model today. John didn't have a degree or a temple backing, but he had the call of God and that was enough.

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What if God is calling you not to be somebody, but to be a voice? Maybe your excuses look something like this I'm not trained, I'm not ordained, I'm not qualified. Well, neither was John. But remember, God chose what is foolish, what is weak, what is low and despised. 1 Corinthians 1, 26-29. We have this treasure in jars of clay. 2 Corinthians 4, 7. And it is God who works in you. Philippians 2.13. God is not looking at your resume, he's listening for your yes. Now, looking at verses 24 to 28,.

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When asked why he baptizes, John responds I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He points to Jesus, still hidden from public recognition, and with utter humility, he says I'm not worthy to untie his sandals. This was a task too low even for a Jewish servant. And John, the greatest of prophets, says he's not even worthy of that. His baptism wasn't a religious ritual. It was preparation to meet the king.

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Now, in ancient times, before a king arrived, a herald went ahead to announce the king's coming. Roads were cleaned, Cities were prepared. That's what John was doing with his baptism Not empty ceremony, but heart level cleansing. Make straight the way of the Lord. And where did this all happen? Not in the temple, but in the wilderness. This happened in Bethany, beyond the Jordan. This is where Elijah once stood, where Joshua led Israel across the river, where transitions happened. That's where John prepared.

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The way John's ministry wasn't accidental. It was prophetic, precise and royal in nature. He stood as a herald on sacred ground, proclaiming the coming of the king. He didn't seek attention or applause. He didn't campaign for influence. He cleared the road not for himself, but for Jesus. His life was a living invitation. Make straight the way of the Lord.

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That same calling rests on us today not to convince others by force or cleverness, but to live as those who are utterly convinced ourselves. When we live like we've seen the glory of the King, when repentance marks our steps and humility shapes our voice, the world begins to see Jesus through us. We are not the light, we are the lampstand. We are not the message, we are the echo. Like John, we prepare the way because we've met the one who is the way.

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So when someone asks who are you, how do you respond? Are you known for your title or your calling in Christ? Are you willing to be a voice that points others to Jesus, even if it means stepping into obscurity? And here's a closing picture I want you to hold on to.

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Moses was in the wilderness tired, angry, old, unsure. He wasn't looking for God, he was looking after sheep. And there, in the middle of nowhere, God spoke from a burning bush. Moses said who am I? But God didn't need his confidence, he just needed his obedience. The same is true for you.

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When God calls, don't wait to feel ready. Say yes, because the real question is no longer who are you, but will you go when he calls? Let's pray, father, god. We thank you for your word, for your message, for the truth of what you show us, that it's not so much about who we are but who we belong to, that it's not so much about who we are but who we belong to, and our willingness to say yes. I think of the freedom you gave us Jesus, Not a freedom to choose what's best for us or what we think is best for us, but a freedom to live in righteousness, A freedom to say yes to you, God, no longer enslaved to sin, serving the desires and the passions of the flesh, but serving you, proclaiming your greatness and who you are.

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Oh God, I pray that our listeners hear this today, that they submit to this calling.

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Not a calling to go into the world to convince them, but a calling to go into the world being people who are convinced and that the world would see that on us and be transformed because of the light that reflects off of us.

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Father, we love you and we thank you for all that you've done to reflect your glory off of these filthy rags. In Jesus' name, amen. Now as always, I want to thank you for joining us today, and I hope this episode has helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you now have a deeper understanding of just how much God loves you and wants you to know him. Before we go, I want to encourage you to send us any questions or comments you may have using the text us link in the episode description. Your input helps us shape future episodes that speak directly to your needs and help you grow in your faith. It's our desire that this ministry be a tool to reach the lost and equip the saints for a life that brings glory to God. So, God bless, and we'll see you next time on the Takeaway.