When someone outshines and displaces you, the potential for jealousy and rivalry is great unless your mission is crystal clear and transcends yourself. How did the inner circle of John the Baptist react when Jesus walked onto the public stage? Did anyone say:
"There's something patently unfair about it. Initially, you were the one who drew the big crowds. People were pushing and shoving to get closer to you so they could see and hear you. Somehow, He has come along, and your crowds are dwindling, but His audience is growing. You seem to be shrinking while His ratings steadily climb. Your preaching was getting results - it was like the commencement of a national revival. Thousands were repenting and getting baptized. Now it seems He's getting all the attention. How do you feel about this shift in popularity?"
Humanly speaking, the potential for jealousy, rivalry and hostility was great.
The ministry of John the Baptist broke the silence of a 400-year period at the end of the Old Testament. Finally, after a very long silence, God was now speaking to the people through a chosen set of human lips. This young man, John the Baptist, drew large crowds and preached with power. God was definitely using him in a mighty way.
But then, Jesus walks out onto the public stage, and He, too is preaching. Amazing miracles accompanied his preaching. The public spotlight shifted away from John. Jesus quickly became the talk of the countryside. John’s followers and others couldn’t understand what was happening. Their man was being upstaged by the man called Jesus. Their popular leader was fading into the shadows.
Did they tell him: “John, we’ve got to turn this around! We are your loyal supporters. We’re in this with you for the long haul. What’s your take on all of this? Aren’t you concerned?”
John’s response: “Concerned? No! I’m delighted. I see myself as the Best Man who attends to the details leading up to the Groom’s appearance on center stage. He’s arrived now, and I am just thrilled to see Him and hear Him.” John said:
“…So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” John 3:29-31
John the Baptist knew his mission in life was to call for repentance as he announced the arrival of the One who is ‘above all.’ He was under no illusions about his role from the start; he was merely a voice crying in the wilderness. His role was clear and straightforward: to make way for the arrival of the Promised One and to promote Him above all others and above all things. John was motivated by a singular mission in life that transcended himself and brought glory to another – not to him personally. He knew that Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. For John, Christ was Above All from eternity past, is Above All now and will always be Above All in the future.
When we are confident that God is using us according to His Divine purposes, what engine within produces the fires of jealousy when another fulfils their God-assigned role in life?
For John, ego and status were not on his scorecard. For John, it wasn’t about popularity – it was about Christ – who is Above All.
What about me? Where does Christ rank in my life? Is He above all? Do I have goals and aspirations that displace Him? What about you? Is there anything or anyone else who has top place in your life – or is Christ truly Above All?
Do all your short-term, intermediate and long-term goals feed into your ultimate purpose of honouring, promoting and glorifying Christ, your Saviour and Lord? Do they all flow together just the way streams and rivulets flow out, feeding into and contributing to the ever-widening river of bringing honour and glory to Christ?
How does the big focus in your life, just now, connect with your overall purpose of pleasing and promoting Christ? Is there a direct link or a significant disconnect? Is it a contributor or a detractor?
What’s the stiffest competition Christ faces for the top spot in your life? Who or what is Christ’s greatest rival in your life right now? Spend some time today answering that question.
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
