John the Baptist is a fascinating character. He plays an essential role in the narrative of the Gospels. Yet he is so peripheral we often don’t pay attention to him. Almost always, you hear him mentioned; it is, 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.
Recognise the difference between proclaiming the cause of Christ and promotion of self.
Interestingly, Jesus called him the greatest man that ever lived; only, at the same time, the least in the kingdom (Matthew 11:11). John the Baptist was always humble in his self-assessment. Notice the phrases used to refer to or describe him: he was not the light; I am not the Christ, nor Elijah or the prophet; a voice in the wilderness; and I must decrease. Finally he ended up in prison and beheaded. It is not a glamorous ministry. Neither is it one you crave. 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 answers, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven” (John 3:27).
This perspective of life and ministry will save 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 save many from envy of other people’s success and from jostling for praise from people.
This perspective will also ensure that you are content with your ministry, whether it is celebrated or little-known. Christians with this perspective are satisfied with being forgotten. They recognise a difference between proclaiming and promoting the cause of Christ and 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 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 in a minister should be of concern. With the rise of social media, the temptation is ever real. Where does one draw the line?
Not I, but Christ.
On the one hand, it is a wonderful tool for ministry. On the other, the dangers of self-praise are ever-present. Every man knows the motives behind his actions. One famous prayer should be every minister’s. Each line starts with the refrain, “Not I, but Christ”:
- Be honoured, loved, exalted,
- Be seen, be known and heard;
- In every look and action,
- In every thought and word.
Indeed, not I, but Christ.
Use Ministerial Platforms for the Glory of God
Every time I officiate a wedding, I remind the bridal party and the family that it’s not their wedding. It’s not about them! It is not uncommon for the supporting act to make it their show; they whine and grumble and make ridiculous demands. Such people never get to enjoy the celebration. They are so preoccupied with getting the attention that they are frustrated that the bride and groom are the centre.
Could it be that part of the reason a lot of Christian ministers are often grumpy and discontent with their ministry role and places is because they are seeking self-glory?
Perhaps the reason a lot of Christian ministers are discontent with their ministry is because they are seeking self-glory.
People who miss the point and fail to understand their part do not have the joy of serving God. Their happiness is often tied to the recognition and praise of others. They are not happy if they have a particular position or role. They are grumpy if they are not in control or have their way; glad when the numbers are high and the likes are on the rise, and they are delighted when they receive approval. And they are miserable when the numbers are low and no one praises them. They rejoice when they are invited to places and connected with certain people. They are envious when someone else receives attention, quietly asking, “Why not me?”
“He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease”
We are mere instruments in the hands of our maker.
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.
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).