John the Baptist was out in the wilderness of Judea baptizing people who repented. He knew what his mission was and did it. Where did he get this sense of doing God”™s will? It was from God and He had told John”™s father before John was born. (See Luke 1:13-17)

John”™s mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for Messiah. He did this through his preaching and work of baptism. And he didn”™t mince words, even with the religious leaders who had come to hear him.

(NASB) Matthew 3:11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John”™s baptism was with water for repentance ““ the people needed to recognize their own sins before they could repent. The same is true today. From what sins do you need to repent, to turn from?

Baptism today is a symbol of Christ”™s death (going down into the water or the water sprinkled or poured) and of Christ”™s resurrection (coming out of the water). John”™s baptism was one of repentance, our baptism is a symbol of what Christ has done for us on the cross and in His resurrection ““ He is our Savior.

John”™s recognition: that Messiah was coming as One more powerful than himself. John was drawing a record number of crowds, he had a successful ministry going but he knew that One was coming who would eclipse him.

John”™s humility is evident: he viewed himself in comparison to Messiah”¦and knew that there was no comparison! What about your view of yourself in comparison to the living God?

John viewed himself as lower than the status of a slave”¦he wasn”™t even worthy to take off the sandals of Messiah.

John”™s message: this devotional will consider this tomorrow”¦

Are you accomplishing God”™s mission for you?