A MAN SENT FROM GOD

Jesus is the Messiah; John was the messenger. Both roles are vital, and at the same time, vitally different. “He (John) himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John 1:8) John understood this, was comfortable with it, and although there was great potential for jealousy and conflict over his place in relation to his cousin, Jesus, he never confused the issue and let that happen. Just consider the potential that was there.

Both of their lives and ministries were foretold by prophets, their births were both pre-announced by angels and unusual signs and portents accompanied each of their births. (Luke 1 & 2) What’s more, John was born first, which gave him a bit of an edge in the culture of their time. They both began their ministries preaching with a similar message of repentance that was well received by the people of Judea. (Mark 1:4 & 1:15) This alone would have been sufficient to sidetrack some, but not John. He kept this and much more in perspective.

Jesus drew large crowds that turned out to hear Him; so did John. For good or bad, both attracted the attention of the political and ecclesial authorities. (Mark 6:20; Luke 23:8) Both Jesus and John stirred the crowds. Many came expressly to question them or dispute with them. They each had a following of loyal and loving disciples that studied under them and participated in their ministries. Though John never had a sense of competition between himself and Jesus, his disciples did. They became jealous when they began to see larger numbers following Jesus than were following John. (John 3:26) John had ample opportunity to compete; however, he remained clearheaded and strong on this matter and would always set the record straight whenever confronted with the issue.

Even though Jesus did come after John by approximately six months, John distanced himself from any advantage that might give him. “John bore witness of Him (Jesus) and cried out saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”(John 1:15) John understood the pre-existence of Christ and fully accepted the preference. When asked, “Are you the Christ?” John confessed and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.’” (John 1:20) Why would John do this, given all that he had going for him? Why would he refuse to “seize the moment” and throw off his “support role” and go for “top billing?”

With just a little ambition and a minimum of finesse, he could have pulled it off without actually having to declare anything false about himself. There were enough people already ideating about the possibility of his being the Christ. He could have hedged on the issue just enough to let people think what they wanted to. As already pointed out, John was beloved by his disciples who jealously looked out for his best interest. He was the favorite of the crowds that continued to come out to hear him. Without seriously compromising his integrity he could have had it without claiming it, but just not denying it as strongly as he did.

John enjoyed another advantage over Jesus. John was well known to King Herod and Jesus was not. John had King Herod “in his hip pocket” and could have exploited that fact for a lot more advantage for himself. As far as Herod was concerned “John was the man.” He was intrigued by John and saw him as the prophet to fear. (Mark 6:20) In fact, Jesus was such an unknown to Herod, that when Herod did hear of Jesus, he just thought He was John come back to life. (Matthew 14:1-2) So what was it that inhibited John? Why would he be satisfied to accept his role and not claim more for himself?

John gave the answer and should be heard loud and clear by all who pretend to positions not theirs, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’” Then he adds, “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)

David’s role in relation to King Saul was nothing like John the Baptist’s role and relationship with Jesus. David was to become greater, but provides another example of one chosen of God who left the control to God. David had ample reason to think of himself above King Saul and had several opportunities to take him down but refused. (I Samuel 2:8-11) David had the additional knowledge that he had been anointed by God’s prophet to ultimately be King of Israel one day. But even with that, David never lost sight of God’s purposes, God’s calling, and God’s timing. He did not attempt to usurp Saul’s position as King.

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.” (John 1:6) It was not for lack of ambition that John remained faithful to his role. John knew he had been sent from God and his highest ambition was to do the job God had sent him to do; nothing more, nothing less. His joy and fulfillment was to do that for which he had been sent. Jesus would later say of John, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist...” (Matthew 11:11)