I stumbled across these verses in my survey of John this morning and it stopped me cold:
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
I thought, "What an amazingly secure man!" Here was the guy who had been the flashpoint of revival, had drawn a crowd of followers and who had the public eye on focused on him and his ministry. In one day, he handed it all over to Jesus--and was content and joyful about it!
So much of my angst in life has more to do with how I am perceived. I worry over my ranking at work, how do my neighbors feel about the quack grass in my lawn, or will my children hate me someday if I make them eat green beans today. I slide into the temptation to define myself and my success based on how others see me.
John, however, saw clearly the purpose God had designed for him. He defined himself by how God saw him and realized that his place of attention and fame had been a gift that he would need to return.
He was happy because his obedience had made God happy. It was simple.
Later, he did have some doubts when he was in prison and had a moment where he needed to know if it was all worth it. I'm glad he did, because I have those moments a lot. Jesus gently reminded John of the bigger picture than John had played a part in--the plan was carrying on. It was almost as if Jesus was saying, "Remember, this plan is bigger than you".
I hope that as I age, I get more and more focused on seeing God's pleasure as my primary goal. I have a lot perception changing to do, but if I keep looking at Jesus, He will get bigger.
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