The Beautiful Irony of John the Baptist

John 1:6-8, 15 CEB

A man named John was sent from God.  He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light.  He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.

John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”  

                Before any significant number of people had heard of Jesus of Nazareth, thousands had heard of John the Baptist (more accurately translated John the Baptizer).   John had attracted crowds and had led many to turn back toward God.  Hundreds had been baptized as a sign of their newfound attention to God’s activity.  To be involved in such transformation of people’s souls can be quite the ego trip.  Yet John is clear that he is just the warm-up act.  He knows that is all he will ever be, because that is what God called him to be.  He tells everyone, “I’m a witness.”  The main act is coming soon. Be ready.  Be baptized. 

                Yet, John may be the most well-known warm-up act there ever was.  His single-minded commitment to simply point beyond himself is known by virtually every Christian since his day.  His greatest is his bold humility.  He clings to the truth we talked about in the last reflection concerning the pre-existence of Christ;  “‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”  John knew that his riverside ministry was not about himself and people flocked to him to be dunked in the Jordan because they sensed that it wasn’t about John either.  When John did his thing, God did the God thing through him.

                It’s supposed to be that way with all of us.  God has work for each of us to do that is most certainly not about us.  When we embrace that work like John did, people begin to see something more than just us.  We may not attract as much attention as John did, but if we’re faithful, it will be noticed.  God will do the God thing. . . .and we will have been part of it. 

Question:  Do you believe that God will “do the God thing” through your faithful action?

Prayer:  Lord, we are all witnesses.  Help us find the work that points beyond ourselves to You.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for the humility of people whose work attracts a lot of attention.

Song:  Newsboys – Good Stuff