In today’s Scripture reading, John the Baptist is on trial by members of the Jewish religious establishment, who are interrogating him.  John the Baptist emphasizes his subordinate role, by telling the questioners that he, John, will baptize with water for repentance, but the Messiah, Who will come after him, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16).  John is a lamp,   but Jesus Christ is The Light!

To make sure that everyone knows that he is not the Christ, John the Baptist describes himself only as “the voice of  one shouting in the desert,” as prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3).  He says that he is not even worthy to untie the sandal straps of the One Who is coming after him.

John’s role is to point the way to Jesus, by testifying to The Light of Christ.  The Light will bring glad tidings or good news to the downcast and brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).  The Light will bring healing for the abandoned and neglected (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).  The Light will bring the presence of Christ to those who have lost their way in the darkness of sin.