Which Is More Important…
the message or the messanger?
'To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah 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.”
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. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.' John 3:27-36
when you get a lot of attention and adoration for the work that you are doing, this can lead to one getting a huge ego (big head), that you are ‘the man’, and forgetting who is actually in charge and what that work you were putting in was actually for.
john knew, from the get go, that he was simply proclaiming (the messenger) of The Messiah, and preparing people for Jesus (the message). he rejoiced in this role, not bitter that he was not the focus or person that everyone was hoping he was; lowering himself so that The Lord would be elevated. he understood his place in God’s plan - Jesus was from Heaven and had dominion over all, while john was from earth and only knew of earthly matters.
while john was blessed to be able to proclaim of the coming of Messiah, Jesus is the fulfillment of the promised Savior of the world. Our Lord and King was given everything (omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent) and those who call on Him are saved, those who don’t will be eternally separated (death) from God, from Him.
it isn’t that the messenger isn’t a critical component, because he is. their underlying purpose is to get the message to those who need it. like the fedex, ups, or usps worker that delivers your mail; they play an important role in the delivery and if they don’t, the sender and recipient loses out.
john was ‘the messeger’ telling people about Jesus because, ultimately, He is the singularly most important “message” we will ever receive. i’m just hoping to play a little part in sharing of who Jesus is and how your life can be turned around if they let Him.
Father God, if you find me suitable to be used, teach me to be like john the baptizer, the disciples, and the brothers and sisters who have shared with others who your Son Jesus is. may the conversations open hearts and minds that eventually lead them to accept Him as their Savior. may your pour out your Holy Spirt to guide me in conversations to those around me leading to real transformed lives. in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!