John the Baptist is a fascinating character. He plays an
essential role in the narrative of the gospels and yet so peripheral we often
do not pay attention to him. Almost always you hear him mentioned; it is as 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 ministerial perspective. 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 for, 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
And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he
who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is
baptising, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot
receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. John 3:26-27
This perspective of life and ministry will serve 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. There is a difference between
proclaiming and promoting the cause of Christ and the 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 a 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 among us ministers is quite concerning. 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 for 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 to
the glory of God
Every time I am officiating a wedding, I remind the
bridal party, it's not their wedding, and it is not about them! I have seen
some bridesmaid act as though it is their show, they whine and grumble and make
ridiculous demands. I have noticed that such people never get to enjoy the
wedding celebration.
That is often the case in ministry. People who miss the
point and fail to understand their role do not have the joy of serving God.
Their happiness is often tied to the recognition and praises of men. They are
happy when the numbers are high, the likes on the rise and they are delighted
when they receive approval. And they miserable when the numbers are low and
when no one is singing their praises. They rejoice when they are invited to
speak at conferences and camps and are downcast when it is another who is
invited. They go home smiling when someone praises their preaching and are
bothered when no one does.
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
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