I like John, the Baptist. He has a way with words. He is forthright and unassuming. His appearance is humble and low-key, but his words are fiery and unnerving. There is one word I associate with John—confident. Not self-confident, but confident in the One who called him for the very ministry he finds himself fulfilling. He is the “voice crying in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23), the precursor of the Messiah.
In typical John
fashion, he responds to the concern voiced by his discombobulated disciples by
making a simple yet profound statement.
The NKJV translates it, “a man can receive nothing unless it has been
given to him by heaven.” Understood in context, John is saying, “Whatever a
person does that leads to spiritual success, is given by God. Let it be!” If it comes from God, it’s good. And if it’s good for the kingdom, it comes
from God. I venture to say more people
feel comfortable with the first statement than with the second.
But it is the
second statement that comes from a deep conviction and unmovable assurance that
God is in control. John could have
joined the protest and negotiated terms with Jesus to limit his access to the
river and the people. This would have
protected “his interests.” But it is not
about his interests, it is about God’s
interests. If Jesus is succeeding and
bringing people to conviction and repentance, then it is God who is behind
it. His mission is not affected in any
way not ordained by the will of the God who had called him. He is not threatened by another’s success,
even his own cousin’s. He is secure in
his place with God. There is strength that
seeks superiority, and strength that facilitates the success of others. The second one comes from God. I like John—he gets it!
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