John's preaching is self-effacing to an extreme: the one coming after me is so superior that I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals — the task of a slave, not even a disciple. In Jewish tradition, disciples could perform almost any personal service for their rabbi except carry or untie his sandals, which was too servile. John places himself below even the disciple level in relation to the coming one. The preaching is entirely preparatory: John points beyond himself, names his successor's superiority, and makes clear that his own ministry is purely instrumental. The contrast is not power versus less power but Spirit-baptism versus water-baptism.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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