John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." – Luke 3:16a (ESV)
In a land where anyone can become powerful, where anyone can become rich, where anyone can become president, few would say that they are unworthy of anything. And if someone says that they are unworthy, the images that pop up are like a poor person meeting with Bill Gates or an assistant shift manager meeting their senator, but even that sort of thing usually goes against our sensibilities. Here is John, a child of promise (Luke 1) that has a special role in the redemption of mankind, but he is also one who acknowledges his place before the holy and mighty Lord. It is only by the grace of God that we can stand before Him.
