John 3:22-36
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After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptised. 23 Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptised. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan— the one you testified about— well, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him. 27 To this John replied, A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 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. 30 He must become greater; I must become less. 31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no-one accepts his testimony. 33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. |
If you were asked to describe what Christian character looks like, what would you say? Well, it probably depends on your impressions of the nature of Christianity, based on encounters with people professing to be true followers of Jesus.
For some people, Christian character looks like a dour expression, accompanied by an agitated state grumpiness. It would appear like someone afflicted with a bad case of hemorrhoids. Someone else might describe Christian character as sweet and kind, like a fussing grandmother ensuring that her beloved grandchildren are happy and warm. Another might describe Christian character as bellicose opposing change and liberal moral positions with viciousness, not unlike attitudes expressed by the tyrants behind Nazism.
Our encounters with Christian character have not always been as they should. John the Baptizer, on the other hand, expressed a quality of character that surpassed even those of the followers of Jesus. When his disciples warned John the Baptizer that he was falling behind in the numerical race of success (vs. 26), he merely explained that his intention was to give way to Jesus. John, knew who he was and what he was called to do (see next post – Identity: Contentment through self-awareness). This was now supported by decisive action – he would diminish and allow Christ to take his lawful place (vs. 30).
Why don’t we talk more about intentional selflessness when discussing Christian character? John was able to sacrifice all the fruit of his life’s ministry to ensure that Jesus was exalted and glorified. This attitude of selflessness no longer appears to be popular in our expressions of Christianity.
Perhaps, one might question whether this is the correct intent of this passage of scripture? John succumbed to the divine order allowing Jesus to assume his full role and glory. He was not becoming a door mat to any human endeavour. Therefore, one might argue that this is not a universal prescription.
True enough, but there are attitudes embedded in the actions of John that are universally valid. The attitude of putting others first is quite clearly biblical. It is not a question of being a push over – Jesus described as meek saying, “learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). We need to consider brethren as better than ourselves (Rom. 12:10).
John could have argued that his ministry also served the purpose of God. He could have said that God was still using him to reach others with the message of repentance. He chose to say, however, that his calling was to fade away, but Jesus would remain, and this filled him with immense joy, like the best man, rejoicing in his friends wedding. There is something very fitting about this attitude of intentional selflessness, and it served to provide John with complete contentment.
