Wednesday Thought – September 9, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them, 'I baptize you with water. One more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' With many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news." (Luke 3:15-18)

It wasn't about John at all. It was all about God's will. It was all about Jesus.

Think of the temptation that existed for John. Multitudes came to hear him preach in the wilderness. Think about the increase in the crowd if he had made it more convenient for them. If he had moved his ministry to Jerusalem it could have reached so many more people, been so much more influential and brought John so much more attention.

When the crowds wondered if John might be the Messiah he could have said he was. He could have been less deceitful and just not denied it. He could have allowed the people to continue to wonder without dashing their hopes.

For John, it wasn't about the number of people who came to hear him. It wasn't about the attention he received. It was about God's message. It was about God's will. It was about Jesus.

When the people asked if John was the Messiah, he immediately said that he wasn't. He immediately pointed them to the One who was coming. He pointed them to the One greater than he was, to the One John would submit, worship and follow.

For John, it wasn't about him. It was about God's will. It was about Jesus.

Temptations come our way at times. There are temptations to call attention to ourselves. Temptations to make life about us. Perhaps our temptations aren't as grand as the ones John faced, but they are just as real for us.

Remember John and follow his example. It's not about us. It's about God's will. It's about Jesus.

His, by Grace, Steve