[257 words]
It’s been said that the hardest instrument to learn to play is second fiddle! It is a difficult role. John the baptizer seemed to play it well. He denied the references to him being the Christ by saying he was not worthy to even untie Christ’s sandals (John 1:27). Instead of claiming to be the Christ, John identified himself as simply being the voice in the wilderness telling folks of the Lord that would soon come (John 1:23).
Notice: John saw himself in light of…
…A mission: Some today would say John suffered from poor self-esteem. This isn’t true. John found what produces real happiness and satisfaction. John placed a greater emphasis on his mission than upon what everybody thought of him. He may have dressed a little different and had a strange diet, but he knew that his mission was to help folks see the Christ!
…Christ: He placed Christ first and found himself second. We must deny self to follow Christ and the forerunner John exemplified this well. John found his place in life by finding the Christ.
Application: Parents, do you see your mission to show your children Christ? Worker, do you see your mission to show your coworkers Christ? Neighbor do you see your mission? When we make Christ the preeminent one in our life, the mission falls into place. We must live the Christian life before others and then encourage them to do the same. It’s not low self-esteem, it’s a fact: Without Him we would be nothing!
David Shannon
via Mt. Juliet church of Christ
Mt. Juliet, TN