Todays Reading: John 1: 19-34 Read the Scripture here: https://biblegateway/passage/?search=John+1%3A+19-34&version=CEB Here is something unique not found in the other gospels. John takes extraordinary care to tell the story of the first week of Jesus’ ministry. Today’s text is day 1. The next 6 days are spilled out in great detail, one day at a time. While John the Baptizer’s ministry was preparatory in nature, he did have a following. That meant of course that he was misunderstood even by his own followers. As crazy as it is to imagine, there is recorded the evidence of those who continued to follow and believe that John was the Messiah even as far along as 250 AD. Of course, in our world we have have false prophets who say, “…when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God. We’re doing it for ourselves. Because God takes pleasure when we are happy… When you come to church, when you worship Him, you aren’t doing it for God really, you are doing it for yourself. Because that’s what makes God happy…” I jump right into the hornet’s week this week and that controversy to say that some people will follow anyone, but especially the one who tells them what their itching ears want to hear! (For reference on the controversy surrounding the Osteens with a humorous rebuttal: https://youtube/watch?v=00-6OyXVA0M) John was extraordinarily concerned that he had the power to influence. The power to influence, lead and persuade is significant. There is nothing that requires more thought and reflection than being given the ability and calling to lead people. John was extremely concerned about the report, the possibility, the thought that others would believe he was more than he really was. John simply had a job. If only more disciples saw the sum of their talent this way… we don’t take pleasure in others thinking and speaking well of us. We don’t work to garner their favor. At the same time in the church, we don’t focus on whether we ‘like’ leadership or not. Leaders’ jobs are to lead, pastors to pastor, all of us as disciples ultimately share in the same calling: to simply follow one… we are all nothing but followers. Disciples prayerfully point to Jesus. Yet I know what I have seen in this world. Churches get hung up on whether they like their leader. Leaders get hung up on their level of influence among others. John said this… (my paraphrase) “I am not the Christ! In fact, He is so great and I am such a speck of dust in comparison. I am not worthy of the most humiliating job that would associate me with Jesus!” That job, by the way, to no one’s surprise was connected with feet. (Who ever dreams of being a podiatrist when they grow up?) John said that he wasn’t worthy to serve at the job of removing the sandal which was a precursor to the washing of feet in a household. This was the lowest job on the totem pole by a household servant. Interesting of course as a contrast, none less than Jesus who is the Christ, the Messiah of God takes on the lowest job in this very Gospel near the end to remind us all of the nature of a servant. Here’s a possible takeaway on a Saturday. Sometimes we need wake up calls. I needed one today. I had a very late night, overslept and feel sluggish. We need to wake up from believing or pursuing something that is not within the realm of significance as it relates to being a disciple of Jesus. We too must affirm that it’s not about us. We are nothing next to Jesus. Jesus’ true greatness affirms our commitment to be willing to be small. Where in your life now do you need like John to refute your own greatness and take hold of humility instead, remembering that even being connected with Jesus in the most humiliating fashion is an unspeakable grace? Signing off… John from St. John’s … re: John in the Gospel of John, OK, remember the important stuff … that you are loved of God in Christ on a Saturday, John
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:32:13 +0000
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