“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16).
Most of the commentators are keen to point out that untying the straps of one’s sandals was a servant’s job.
John definitively was tasked by God to perform the job of a servant: to prepare the way for the Lord. He was tasked to be the voice that calls for repentance – announcing the arrival of One more powerful than him.
Yet, his attitude is proof that John understood perfectly that there was much more than a mere difference between a Master and his servant: he wasn’t worthy even to perform a servant’s job.
The context. In Rome (Luke 3:1), the Emperor was busy making plans to conquer new lands (that is what kings do). Around him the lesser kings (tetrarchs) were guarding their little kingdoms never trusting anyone else.
In Jerusalem, the religious leaders (Luke 3:2a) were busy performing their religious duties, keen to be observed by people or more interested in winning theological debates than caring for the spiritual needs of the people.
Somewhere in the wilderness (Luke 3:2b, 3), close to the Jordan River…there was John – away from the world and its business…but close to God – totally relying on Him for clothing and food (Matthew 3:4).
Luke tells us that “…the word of God came to John…” (v.2).
The word of God came to John in the tradition of Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 1:2) with a special revelation and commission.
This is what the word of God does…when it comes we go. John went into all the countryside and preached the word, calling people to repent.
John’s preaching was done in the power of the Holy Spirit, just as it had been prophesied about him (Luke 1:15) and under the authority of Jesus – the more powerful One…the Worthy One.
John’s only worth was the worth ascribed to him by Jesus – his cousin, friend, Master, and Lord. Without that, he was not worthy.