The thong of his sandal

He raises the poor from the dust,

And lifts the needy from the ash heap. Psalm 113:7

 

Read John 1:25—27

I love the words of John, ‘I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ I love it because Jesus for his part had words about John: ‘Among those born of woman no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist.’[1] Jesus exalted him. I love it because John wavered about Jesus, did not always understand him, did not know if he really believed him, sent followers to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’[2] He doubted. Yet he bowed before Jesus. If I doubt, when I doubt, in my doubt, Jesus is still the one, still, really, the only one before whom I can really say, ‘I am not worthy to untie the thong of your sandal.’

 

Lord Jesus Christ, whom John baptised in the Jordan, whom John was reluctant to baptise because John was calling sinners to repentance, to change their ways — and what of your ways could you ever change? Jesus, who beautifully, wonderfully, stood among sinners and was baptised there by John, there in the Jordan, the muddy waters, standing among us as though you came for this and must do it, and wanted to; who, now that I picture you, and now that I think I am all unworthy to loose your sandals, who did that for your closest followers, loosed their sandals and then washed their feet; Lord Jesus Christ, you know all my doubts and hesitations. You are familiar with every other way that may attract me at times, with ways that I admire and with directions that my life could go. But no one exalts me like you do. No one notices me, calls me by my true name, no one surrenders himself for me like you do. You have the words of eternal life. And just acknowledging that seems to exalt me.

[1] Matthew 11:11

[2] Matthew 11:3