Have You Ever Felt Discontented

with the position or responsibilities God has given you. Many of us have had that reaction and it is not pleasing to the Lord.

There was a man who understood how to handle his God given role in a manner that eventually brought great praise from Jesus. That man was John the baptizer. His life was remarkable in its total obedience to God.

His parents Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth were well along in years when John was born. The incredible message of his birth was delivered by an angel (Luke 1:18). This heavenly messenger also indicated that even before his birth the boy would be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15), that his name would be John (Luke 1:13) and that he would function as a prophet preparing the way for the Lord (Luke 1:76).

The Bible tells us nothing about his formative years except that as he grew up he became strong in spirit. At some point prior to his public appearance in Israel he began living in the wilderness (Luke 1:80). John was not the sort of person who would yield to peer pressure or feel the need to conform. Scripture tells us his "clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey" (Mat. 3:4). The message he presented was clear and pointed. He challenged the people to repent of their sins and return to God (Mat. 3:2). When the religious leaders (Pharisees& Sadducees) came to him he denounced them as snakes (Mat 3:7).

In those days Israel was looking for a Messiah. John's uniqueness caused people to wonder if he was that one. His response was to present himself as a voice proclaiming the coming of the Lord (John 1:23). John was the herald for the greater one who was about to break on the scene (Luke 3:16). Finally one day Jesus came to be baptized by John. The baptizer's reaction was that he needed to be baptized by Christ (Mat 3:14) but he obediently did as the Lord requested.

John had amassed many followers. Once Jesus appeared things abruptly changed. Did it bother John to see people deserting him and flocking to Jesus? No, not at all but it bothered his followers. When they voiced this concern his response was "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven...I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him’...He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:27-28, 30).

John's attitude was genuine he understood his role. God sent a message to John (see Luke 3:2-3) and he faithfully proclaimed it. Jesus understood what made John tick. He realized that John was sincere. He knew John was not a phoney. As a result he paid the baptizer the ultimate complement when he said “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist" (Mat 11:11).

Are we like John the baptizer? Are we willing to play the part God has ordained for us? Are we willing to step aside to let another take over at the appropriate time? That is the selfless attitude which Jesus desires to see in all who would serve him.
Copyright. Bruce September 2006

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.