He Is Mighty [Luke 3]
15Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17"His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
John the Baptist was a man who knew his mission and was willing to fulfill it. He declared, "One is coming that is more powerful than I. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John was sent to "prepare the way for the Lord" and he did not waver in proclaiming who Christ was. He also said in another passage that Christ must increase and he must decrease (John 3:30). He humbly submitted to be sent ahead of the Messiah, preparing hearts to receive Him.
May we know the One who has been declared God's beloved Son - the One who pleases the Father well. May we joyfully prepare His way by declaring who He is.
He is God's beloved Son
He is mightier than I
He baptizes with the Spirit and fire
God is well-pleased with Him
Verna McCrillis, 2/23/2009