Show Don't Tell: John 1:19-28

Instead of saying "John the Baptist denied being the Messiah," count the denials. This is John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem send priests and Levites to ask him who he is. He does not fail to confess: "I am not the Messiah." "Who are you then? Are you Elijah?" "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" "No." "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" Not Messiah, not Elijah, not the Prophet—just a voice. The Pharisees ask: "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." This happens at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan—not the Bethany near Jerusalem—where John is baptizing.