SCRIPTURE:
27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
John 1:27
OBSERVATION:
What do you think you deserve? What do you believe you’re worthy of?
The Gospel of John the Apostle begins with the account of another John––John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the man Isaiah prophesied about that would announce Jesus’ arrival and be a sign that confirmed Christ’s presence on Earth. According to Jewish tradition, John the Baptist was an important figure who played a critical role in the arrival of the Messiah––for no John the Baptist, no possible Messiah. Yet, despite his importance, John the Baptist did not consider himself important, let alone worthy to fulfill his call. John said, “though [Christ’s] ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal” (John 1:27 NLT).
According to man’s standards, John the Baptist would be among the most worthy in Christ’s eyes. After all, he is central to the Gospel story. However, John was neither worthy nor entitled; he was humble. And because he was humble, God anointed his life and chose him to announce the arrival of His very own son.
APPLICATION:
If we’re honest, when it comes to the lives we get to live, chances are we feel more worthy and act more entitled than we ought to.
And before you get mad at me, let me ask you a question: “If today, you only had what you thanked God for yesterday, would your life be the same as it was yesterday, or would it be much poorer?”
We expect a certain level of comfort and become angry with God when we experience anything less than this. We get too comfortable entering His presence, treating our prayers as wish lists rather than thank you notes. We go through life forgetting how blessed we truly are, treating our relationship with God as a task we have to do rather than a privilege we get to do. But are we worthy to be in God’s presence? Are we entitled to live a blessed life? The answer is no.
When it comes to our lives, and our relationship with God, we need to be more like John the Baptist––humble, grateful, and lowly. We should not want “what we deserve” because what we deserve is death and discomfort. Thank goodness we don’t live a “fair” life because the only fair place in this universe is hell itself. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you are in life, you are so much more blessed than you deserve to be. We deserve to be beggars––but by the grace of God, we have become royalty. And I pray we all learn that lesson now, because if you don’t, God may have to force your hand to get you to open your eyes.
Yes, you are worthy––but only because Jesus has made you worthy. You have the privilege of falling into a false expectation of entitlement because God has been so good, and constant, and faithful to you. But don’t spend one more day taking His grace and His goodness for granted.
Today, come to God like John the Baptist. Approach Him humbly as a servant. Thank Him for all of the blessings He has given you that you’ve taken for granted. For when you do, you’ll be a life that God can anoint and use for His glory.
PRAYER:
God,
Thank You for the life I get to live, the blessings You’ve bestowed upon me, and the call I get to answer. I repent for forgetting my unworthiness and giving into my entitlement. Forgive me. Today, I recognize that every good and perfect thing I have has come from You, and I thank You for being my Lord, Savior, Provider, and Father. I live to glorify you, and I desire to bring honor to Your name. Use me like John the Baptist––may people come to know You as Savior and Soon-Coming King through the way I humbly serve You. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
