Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 1:23-27

"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. And they had been sent from the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, [even] he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose." — John 1:23-27 (ASV)

Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. And those who were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said to him, Why do you baptize then, if you are not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you do not know; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

How John hides himself behind his Master! He was a most worthy man, a truly great man; but he counted himself unworthy of the most menial service for Christ, and felt honored by filling the office of a slave to untie his Master's sandal strap. It is better to be the slave of Christ than to rule vast empires; he who truly serves him is glorified by it.

Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

How wisely does God always choose and fashion his servants!

John is evidently just the man for his place; he bears testimony to Christ very clearly; he earnestly turns away all attention from himself to his master; and he has such a reverent esteem for him of whom he is the herald that he puts all honor and glory upon him.

Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:23–27)

See the true humility of this faithful servant of Christ. He does not dream of putting his own name side by side with his Master's.

The unloosing of shoe latchets was work for a slave to do, but if we are privileged to perform this work for Christ, it will make us as kings before him. To do anything for Christ, to have even a menial's place in his palace, is better than being an emperor among men.

May we have the portion of those who are not ashamed to unloose the latchet of Christ's shoes!