John 1:22-23: Then said they unto him, Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
When John the Baptizer was asked who he was, he said that he was not Christ (John 1:20). Nor was he Elias (verse 21), though he came before Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1:17). Nor was he the prophet like Moses that God would raise up (Deut. 18:15).
Instead, John simply said he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.”
John took emphasis away from himself and directed it toward Jesus, saying, “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose” (John 1:27). He stood in awe of Jesus (cf. John 1:29), rather than trying to make others stand in awe of himself (cf. Matt. 23:5).
God could use more servants like John, who do what is right at whatever cost (cf. Matt. 14:3-10), yet humbly see that doing so simply makes one God’s instrument.
John emphasized God’s message rather than the messenger. He exemplified the need for all “voices” that God uses to seek glory not for themselves, but for God (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11).
– Michael Hickox