Luke Chapter 3: Verses 15-16 (NLT Translation)
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptized you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much so that I’m not even worthy to be his servant and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
John Chapter 3: Verses 28-30 (NLT Translation)
“You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah, I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
John knew what God had called him to do. And he did it to the best of his ability. It might have been possible to become over-confident as his reputation spread, and to make a big thing about his role, but he didn’t. His subsequent analogy about the best man and the bridegroom is a lovely one.
How do we react when someone else seems to be getting greater recognition and acknowledgement for the things they are doing instead of us? Can we say, like John, that we are happy at their success? Our focus should really be on what God asks us to do without worrying about what He has given someone else to do. It is God we are serving and Jesus we are exalting -not ourselves!
Dear Lord,
May I follow John’s example and rejoice when I see other people’s ministry growing. Help me to keep my focus on what You have asked of me. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.