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John 3:22-36
Do you think John the Baptist felt his work was done when Jesus arrived on the scene?
Photo by Christian Buehner on Unsplash
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized -- John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John's disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath. - John 3:22-36
They called John Rabbi.
He was their leader, the one they came to see and learn from. John tells us that he knew he would have to step aside when Jesus began his ministry, but the two men were almost the same age.
Six months separated them, with John the elder cousin. It is like an older brother having to give up his life's work to the younger son.
I expect John to be a little miffed. He did the work of gathering the people and preparing them to follow Jesus, and then he had to step aside.
But John doesn't feel like a placeholder for Jesus. He clearly states that he is sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for him, to gather the people together, and share the message, as a prophet would.
There is great humility in John. How many of us would commit our lives to setting up someone else to be the one to go on to greatness based on the work we did?
If we look closely at the people God called, we see examples of leaders who started the journey but didn't finish it.
Moses comes to mind. He was called to lead the people to the promised land, but he didn't get there himself, and many who came with him didn't either. The next generation benefited.
The apostles thought Jesus would return within their lifetime, but that didn't happen.
We are called to start a journey that others may finish. It is our faith that keeps us committed to following that path.
We remember from the parable of the talents, that story we struggle to understand, that the servants were told that their work was well done, and that they were good and faithful servants.
This is our mission in life: to serve God, be faithful in our service, and expect nothing for it.
We are told our reward will be great in heaven, but we don't follow faithfully for that reward. We do what God calls us to do because we are faithful to His call.
God may call us to do great things, or He may call us to get the ball rolling so someone else can continue the race. Whatever we are called to do, we should do it cheerfully.
When John was killed by Herod, Jesus wept. He told his disciples that there is no one greater than John. That is some compliment coming from him.
More to come...