John publicly and repeatedly declares he is neither the messiah, Elijah, nor the prophet like Moses--when challenged about his identity. Instead, he is a mere voice in the desert getting God's people ready to meet their God. When challenged why he is baptizing by the pharisees' delegation, he tells them someone is coming who is vastly above all of them and, by implication, total repentance and heart preparation is the need of the hour. We, too, are not the messiah. But we, too, can help prepare people to meet the true Messiah, Jesus Christ