Luke 3:15
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
"With great power comes great responsibility." This is a quote from the comic book movie Spiderman. The quote is goes back well before this however. Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and even Voltaire have been attributed to this thought and expression. Whoever takes the credit, the words ring true. The people of the time were looking for a savior and thought that John might be it. John was questioned by the people asking him if he was the Christ. John could have said, "yes I am and I command you do this or that." Instead, he said, paraphrasing "No, I'm not worthy to even be at his feet, to loosen his sandals." Think about that. He could have had great power. The people were looking for a savior, and he had the chance to grasp that power. He could have duped the temple priests and authority. There were many false prophets roaming the land but many listened to John. He could have had great influence on the local government. Yet John was a man of truth and love. He was not understood by some, but knew who he was and what his role was in the plan of salvation. He didn't let temptation get in his way. We can all be tempted by power, but there is none more powerful than Jesus. This Advent and Christmas, don't let worldly power and influence dictate your actions. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in everything you do.
