John the Baptist is a fascinating character. He plays an essential role in the narrative of the gospels and yet is so peripheral we often do not pay attention to him. Almost always, you hear him mentioned; it is, by the way, which was the role God intended him to play all along. Every time John speaks, he is pointing to Christ and deflecting focus from himself.
Interestingly,
Jesus called him the greatest man that ever lived and yet, at the same time,
the least in the kingdom (Matthew 11:11). John the Baptist was always humble in
his self-assessment. Notice the phrases used to refer to or describe the man:
he was not the light, I am not the Christ, I am not Elijah, I am not the prophet,
a voice in the wilderness, I must decrease, he ended up in prison and beheaded.
It is not a glamorous ministry, and neither is it one you want to crave, yet
John, by Christ's estimations, was the greatest. What lessons can we learn from
the life and ministry of John the Baptist?
Ministerial
platforms come from God.
John
answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him
from heaven. John 3:27
This
perspective of life and ministry will save many of us from envy of other
people's success and from jostling for attention and praise from people.
Ministry platforms and opportunities come from God, and they are to be used for
Him, not self-promotion or exaltation. This perspective will also ensure that
you are content with your ministry, whether it is celebrated or
little-known. Christians with this perspective are satisfied with being
forgotten. They recognise a difference between proclaiming and promoting the
cause of Christ and promotion of self. Oh, for wisdom to know the difference.
Ministerial
platforms are meant to point to Christ.
John
the Baptist understood that he was just meant to prepare the way and stay out
of the way. He was merely a pointer and not the point. The point was Jesus
Christ! Someone rightly said, If all people see is you and your efforts to
build a platform, then you are stealing the show." The clamour for
people's attention in a minister’s should be of concern. With the rise of
social media, the temptation is ever real. Where does one draw the line?
On the
one hand, it is a wonderful tool for ministry, while on the other hand, the
dangers of self-praise are ever-present. Every man knows the motives behind his
actions. Ada Whittington's prayer should be every minister's.
Not I, but Christ be honoured, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
Ministerial
platforms can only be enjoyed when used for the glory of God.
Every
time I officiate a wedding, I remind the bridal party and the family that it's
not their wedding, and it is not about them! It is not uncommon for the
supporting act to make it their show; they whine and grumble and make ridiculous
demands. Such people never get to enjoy the celebration. They are so
preoccupied with getting the attention that they are frustrated that the bride
and groom are the centre.
Could
it be that part of the reason a lot of Christian ministers are often grumpy and
discontent with their ministry role and places is because they are seeking self-glory?
People who miss the point and fail to understand their part do not have the joy
of serving God. Their happiness is often tied to the recognition and praise of
others. They are not happy if they have a particular position or role. They are
grumpy if they are not in control or have their way. They are so glad when the
numbers are high and the likes are on the rise, and they are delighted when
they receive approval. And they are miserable when the numbers are low and no
one praises them. They rejoice when they are invited to places and connected
with certain people. They are envious when someone else receives attention;
they quietly ask, “Why not me?” All these and many other examples reveal the
wrong focus in ministry. It is not about us; we are mere instruments in the
hands of our maker, and our joy comes from the fact we have made our God known
whether people listen or they do not or whether they praise us or they do not. That’s
not to say there is anything spiritual about failure or that we should glory in
it. My point is that we should have John’s perspective of life and ministry:
You
yourselves bear me, witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been
sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of
the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's
voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I
must decrease. John 3:28-30
Powerful
ReplyDeleteA good reminder
And yet many pastors and elders seek platform praise.
ReplyDeleteThey are put on a pedestal for all to see. Especially the famous ones. Celebrities. With big ministries. They love to be outfront. Maybe because they feel that they have to earn their salary. Yet Jesus never charged for ministry. As a matter of fact, He said, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house, an house of merchandise."