When John the Baptist launched a public ministry in the Spirit and power of Elijah, it made him a celebrity:

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. (Matt 3:5, NIV)

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. (Luke 3:15)

Even Jesus declared:

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist. (Matt 3:11)

In spite of this acclaim and the power it could bring, John kept his perspective. He consistently tried to turn the crowds' attention away from himself and point them to Jesus.

Before the Lord revealed himself, John prepared the crowds to receive him:

After me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. (Matt 3:11)

When Jesus arrived, John actually tried to reduce the size of his own ministry by urging supporters to follow Jesus instead:

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37)

As Jesus' following grew, John expressed neither jealousy nor regrets. He explained:

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." 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)

God has made each of us believers a modern-day John the Baptist.

In the 1st century John came preaching in the desert, saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near" (Matt 3:1-2). In the 21st century, Jesus entrusts us with the same task:

As you go, preach this message: "The Kingdom of Heaven is near." (Matt 10:7)

This gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:14)

John functioned as forerunner of Christ's First Coming. Likewise, we function as forerunners of his Second Coming by announcing:

Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. (Matt 3:3)

After me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. (Matt 3:11)

As we carry out our mission, will we draw attention to our selves and our gifts, our careers and our accomplishments? Or, like John, will we say,

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world"?

Will we be content with the role of Elijah, or will we insist on being the Christ?

Will we take joy in attending the Bridegroom, or do we want the Bride of Christ for ourselves? (See Rev 19:6-9; Eph 5:23-33; Matt 22:1-14.)

John shows that ministry is not about us; it's about Him.

He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:30)

Reflect...

1. What did John mean when he described himself as "the friend who attends the bridegroom"?
   
   
2. What are some ways in which we may decrease so that Christ may increase?
   
   
3. Read Acts 14:8-20. How did Paul and Barnabus reflect John's attitude toward ministry?
   

Publisher's Note...

This concludes our series on John the Baptist. After a brief break, we will launch a new series on David titled A Man After God's Own Heart, beginning during the week of April 13. Thank you for receiving Bare Roots. -- CD

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