Devotional - May 4, 2004

We know several things about John the Baptist. First, he feared no one and his message was uncompromising, consistent and often confrontational. But there's something else about him I want to point out. When he saw Jesus, he recognized Him for who he was and even though he continued to baptize people after they met, he willingly placed his life and ministry under the authority of Jesus.

Some of John's disciples followed Jesus and some stayed with him. On this occasion, he and his disciples were baptizing on one side of the Jordan River while the disciples of Jesus must have been baptizing people on the other side. But more people were going to be baptized by Jesus' disciples than were going to John and his disciples had to ask the question of John, "What does this mean for our ministry? We were here first; this is our spot. Shouldn't Jesus respect that fact and move on down the river a little bit?"

John knew that as Jesus' ministry increased he must be willing to decrease in order to support the ministry God ordained. Jesus' coming hadn't stopped him from preaching. Now the one who prepared the way in the desert would change his message to, "I told you he was coming; why aren't you ready?" If anyone should move, it was John not Jesus.

Have you learned the lessons of John's testimony? They are: be faithful to serve, but also be willing to move to the back seat if God ordains another ministry take your place in front.

We should have moved our desires to the back seat when the Holy Spirit moved into our life. But I'm afraid many of us still are wrestling for control of the steering wheel even thought we claim to be moving in the same direction as God. Perhaps, it's time to renew our vow to God and tell Him, "Forgive me. I forgot that in order for You to increase, I must decrease."

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Jd. 19:1-20:48 Jn. 3:23-4:3 Ps. 104:25-35 Pr. 14:22-24 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society