2024_10_07 Insight Post- Kim Feld
This week’s reading- Luke 1:5-80, Mark 1:1-14, Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-28, Matthew 14:1-12
As I have thought about John the Baptist in preparation for writing, I was struck by his role in God’s plan. John knew who he was and what he had been called to do. He was like the band at a concert that opened for the headliner. He knew he was not the Messiah but would play a crucial role in preparing the way for Him.
If you missed Rusty’s message yesterday, I encourage you to listen to it. One of his main points was about humility, which is not something we see often these days. As he spoke, I thought of John the Baptist; humility is certainly a word I would use in relation to him.
I am curious about the relationship between John and Jesus. Working through this week’s reading, we see that they were related. Did they know each other well? Did they grow up seeing each other at family gatherings? Our reading tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth, so did he always know who Jesus was, even as they grew up? Once again, I find myself with many questions that make me look forward to heaven!
We didn’t include all the readings concerning John in our Bible Reading Plan. Still, as I considered his humility, I thought about this passage in the biography of Jesus written by John, one of the twelve disciples. In John chapter 3, beginning in verse 22, we read about Jesus’ disciples baptizing people at the same time as John the Baptist. Some Jews began to debate John’s followers about ceremonial cleansing. At this point, John had already identified Jesus as the Messiah. The chapter reads as though John’s disciples were a little riled up after the debate and came to John with what was really on their minds: people were going to Jesus’ disciples for baptism instead of them. This was John the Baptist’s reply:
27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (John 3:27-30, NLT)
The idea of someone else becoming “greater” while I become “less” is so countercultural. However, John the Baptist could confidently say this because of his humility and confidence in the job God had given him. This is a challenging and humbling thought because, if I’m honest, I would rather be the star than just part of the cast.
Humility is a character quality that our world desperately needs to see in those of us who bear the name of Jesus. What does that look like in your life and mine? It may involve taking a lesser role or not demanding what you think you deserve. Am I willing to be “less” so that Jesus can be “greater?”
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach