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
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
Comentários