Pointing to the One, Who Is Greater

He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.”

Mark 1:7, CSB 

If you’re a boxing fan, you know at main-event boxing matches that there are always under-card bouts. Under-card bouts are often fights between two lesser- known boxers designed to get the crowd ready for the main event, which is the championship fight between the two heavy-weight boxers. 

Maybe you are not a boxing fan; instead, you may be a fan of food. When you go to a restaurant, you have the appetizer—a small dish to prepare you for the better main course meal that is soon coming. 

John the Baptist told the crowds who came out to hear him preach, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me.” People knew that John the Baptist was a prophet sent from God, and his words were to be heeded. However, they must have been stunned to hear John saying, “I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.” John was just the “under-card” or “appetizer” to get the people ready for the most important of all, Jesus Christ! 

You must realize that church does not take the place of Jesus, books about Him do not replace Him and music cannot take the place of His greatness. Our job as believers is to point people to the One, who is greater than anything—Jesus. 

PRAY: Ask God to forgive you of the moments where you made things more important than Him in your life. 

ACT: Evaluate your life. Is there anything more important than Jesus? If so, turn your focus back on Jesus. You’re preparing your heart to be ready to point your one to the One, who is greater.