Living to Lift Up Jesus Christ: Mark 1:7
“7) And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” Mark 1:7
This verse exposes one of the tragic shifts in the modern church away from early Christianity. Today the emphasis is on “self.” Within the early church the focus was on “Jesus.”
John viewed himself as not being worthy “to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” He did not see himself as worthy of a menial servant role compared to the glorious and majestic identity of Jesus Christ.
Yet today, we expect Jesus to wash our feet and meet our every whim. We boss Him around as if we are lord and He is servant.
Both Peter and James quoted the principle that “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6; James 4:6) John the Baptist embraced this theology. He absolutely revered Jesus Christ. His goal was to lift up Jesus Christ.
Much of the modern church views Christianity as a “self help” technique. It has the servant-Master relationship turned around.
Until Jesus becomes your Sovereign Master and Lord, Christianity will not work for you. Until you get this right, you will never understand prayer and worship. Even worse, you will shun the Holy Spirit lest you loose control of your own selfish dreams and destiny.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“7) And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” Mark 1:7
This verse exposes one of the tragic shifts in the modern church away from early Christianity. Today the emphasis is on “self.” Within the early church the focus was on “Jesus.”
John viewed himself as not being worthy “to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” He did not see himself as worthy of a menial servant role compared to the glorious and majestic identity of Jesus Christ.
Yet today, we expect Jesus to wash our feet and meet our every whim. We boss Him around as if we are lord and He is servant.
Both Peter and James quoted the principle that “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6; James 4:6) John the Baptist embraced this theology. He absolutely revered Jesus Christ. His goal was to lift up Jesus Christ.
Much of the modern church views Christianity as a “self help” technique. It has the servant-Master relationship turned around.
Until Jesus becomes your Sovereign Master and Lord, Christianity will not work for you. Until you get this right, you will never understand prayer and worship. Even worse, you will shun the Holy Spirit lest you loose control of your own selfish dreams and destiny.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
