“I am not the Christ.” — John the Baptist

As good as it is to know who you are in Christ, it’s just as good to know who you are not.

This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. “Who are you then?” they asked, “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord — just as Isaiah the prophet said” (John 1:19-23).

Multiple times John said, “I am not.”

I like how Louie Giglio expresses this sentiment in his book, I Am Not But I Know I Am (which I highly recommend):

I am not running anything.
I am not the head of anything.
I am not in charge of anything.
I am not the Maker.
I am not the Savior.
I am not holding it all together.
I am not all-knowing.
I am not God.

Now be honest, how freeing did it feel to read that? (Much less make it your regular confession?) I know the reality is, most of us have responsibilities and we are actually in charge of something or someone. But that’s our minor role in the bigger story.

Submitting ourselves to God and recognizing Him as GOD is both humbling and freeing at the same time. I’m glad I’m not God. I’m glad this world isn’t resting on my wisdom. I’m glad I know where to turn every day for help– even when others are looking to me for help.

One of the beautiful things hidden in the conversation between John the Baptist and the men who came to question him is Johns’ answer of who he was. For as many times as he had to answer “I am not,” he only had to answer once, “I am…” and he pointed to scripture for that.

Find yourself.

He said he was the voice of one crying out in the wilderness “as the prophet Isaiah said.” In other words, he found himself and his identity in God’s Word. And he’s not the only one. Jesus also did this on multiple occasions. When He stood up to read in the Temple, He opened to the book of Isaiah and said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me…” And when He finished reading, He said, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled” (Luke 4:18-21). 

In another account, Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus with two men. As they spoke of His crucifixion and death, He asked them questions and “Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).

Both John and Jesus found themselves in the Word of God.

And that’s what you and I must do too. Through scripture, not only will it become evident (and freeing) that we are not the Christ, but we soon discover we are loved, we are forgiven, we are empowered, we are at home in Him, we are wanted, we are cleansed, we are strengthened, and we are hidden in Christ (just to name a few).

If I didn’t know who He was, I wouldn’t know who I am. But in knowing who He is, I find such grace in knowing it’s not on me to be the Savior. It’s also why I find such encouragement from verses like 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” When you know who you are (and who you aren’t), it’s easy.

Go back and read all the “I am not” statements at the beginning of this article. I pray it helps turn your heart to the One who is and always will be the great I AM.

He is the center of everything.
He is running the show.
He is the same every day, forever.
He is the Owner of everything.
He is the Lord.
He is the Savior.
He is more than enough.
He is God.

And it’s perfectly okay that we are not.