" Who Are You?"

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Isaiah 61:1-4

The problem of identity is serious. Few of us forget our names. Some of us forget what we are doing. Many of us forget who we are-and whose we are. The search for identity goes beyond name and title. It goes to the bedrock of being.

John the Baptist hurtled on the scene of history. It had been centuries since a real live prophet had been seen in Judea. Then he came, filled with the prophetic consciousness, sent to baptize. Could he stand the popularity, the confidence of his people? Did he know who he was and where he fit into God’s purpose?

Many wondered. The Gospel according to John describes the dialogue. "Who are you?" they asked. He resorted to an earlier prophetic message: "A voice in the wilderness." What a voice! What a wilderness! Was it a sign of humility? I don’t matter. I’m a nobody. Hardly! His was a ministry of the word. God’s Word used a human voice. His word was to prepare the way for the Word-the Word became flesh.

"Who are you?" they asked. Are you the Messiah? His message challenged repentance and caught their imagination. He spoke directly to the needs of the ordinary folks with two coats, of tax collectors prone to cheating, of soldiers on service. He was not satisfied merely to say, "Repent"; he told them what repentance involved. Is this the Messiah?

The act of baptism was a typical prophetic symbol. Prophets had traditionally worn a yoke about their necks or had lain on one side for months. Oh, he’s a prophet all right. But…are you the Messiah?

John knew. "True, I baptize." He said. But John knew that it was only water that he used. There was no magical formula in the water. And he knew that it symbolized repentance and forgiveness, but forgiveness was God’s business, not John’s. He knew his limitations.

I am unworthy to even untie his shoes. This was the task of the lowliest servant. John knew who he was. But a prophet., even a humble one, was doomed. Herod could not stand the truth and imprisoned him. John’s problem is described in Matthew (3:12-15). Jesus offered him assurance and identity.

God identified. For Jesus came in commitment to God’s will and to God’s purpose and to God’s people. There was no question in the confirmation of the voice that came from heaven, a confirmation of the voice crying in the wilderness as well as of the commitment that Jesus made.

"My beloved." That’s who he was. "My Son." That’s who he was. "My pleasure." That’s who he was. And is! Perhaps John had not seen clearly, but he saw enough-a voice and the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

Later Jesus expressed it clearly: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…"(Isaiah 61:1)