I am in the book of John in my daily Bible reading. When priests and Levites came from Jerusalem to question John the Baptist, the conversation quickly turned to authority. They asked him who he was. Was he the Messiah? No. Was he Elijah, returned to prepare the people for the day of the Lord? No. Was he the Prophet Moses had promised? Again, no.
Then came the real concern: “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:25 ESV).
To our ears it may sound like curiosity, but in their world it was deadly serious. Baptism and washing weren’t new. Priests washed before serving in the temple. Gentiles were baptized when they entered God’s covenant people. But John was calling Israel itself to repent and be baptized. He was declaring that God’s chosen people were no different from outsiders in their need for cleansing. And he was doing this outside the temple, without priestly approval. That was bold. That was unsettling. And for the Pharisees, it was a direct challenge.
In their minds, only someone with divine authority could call Israel to such a radical act. Elijah was expected to come before the day of the Lord. The Prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18 would speak God’s words directly to His people. The Messiah Himself would restore and purify Israel. If John was none of these, then what gave him the right?
John’s reply pointed away from himself: “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:26–27 ESV). In other words, “I’m not the authority. I’m preparing the way for the One who is.”
This moment in the wilderness foreshadowed what would come later with Jesus. Just as John baptized outside the temple, Jesus forgave sins apart from sacrifices. He healed on the Sabbath and declared Himself Lord over it. He pronounced foods clean, He overturned purity laws, and He even cleansed the temple itself. And just as they pressed John with questions of authority, they pressed Jesus too: “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Mark 11:28 ESV).
The issue then—and now—is authority. Who has the right to rule? God’s kingdom does not come through human systems or traditions but through the presence of Jesus standing among us. The real question is: Will we see Him for who He is and surrender to His authority?
And that same question comes to you today. When Jesus calls you to repent… when He convicts you of sin you’d rather excuse… when He lays claim to the areas of life you’d rather protect… how do you respond? Do you resist Him and ask, “Who gave You the right?” Or do you bow before Him as Lord—trusting not only His authority but also His grace?
John’s baptism was only with water, but it pointed forward to the greater baptism of the Spirit. The Pharisees missed it because they clung to their systems. May we not make the same mistake. Instead, may we behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and let His authority cleanse us and rule us.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV).
Where is Jesus pressing His authority in your life right now? Is He convicting you of sin, calling you to turn from something you’ve been clinging to, or asking you to lay down what you’ve been protecting? Don’t push Him away with, “Who gave You the right?” Instead, bow before Him in repentance, and trust the One whose authority is always joined with grace. Share in the comments how His call to repentance has convicted and changed your life, as we spur one another on toward Kingdom living.
He sees the whole picture, so we trust Him in the unfinished strokes.