Be Like John

 

My friends and I all had heroes when we were growing up. Being that we were crazy about baseball, our heroes were mostly baseball players. When we played, we envisioned ourselves as being like those whom we idolized. Stories came out over the years that some of our heroes led less than admirable lives. It was a source of disappointment to learn that they “had feet of clay”.

 

John the Baptist was one of the heroes of the Bible. Jesus said about him, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John” (Luke 7:28). Unlike many modern day heroes, John’s life is worthy of emulating.

 

John was faithful to his call. He did just what God was calling him to do, no more and no less. He was popular with the people, but he didn’t try to take advantage of his popularity. He lived simply, “[His] clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4).

John was humble. He accepted his role as the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. When his disciples came to him saying that people were leaving to follow Jesus, John replied, “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.”  (John 3:29-30).

 

John spoke God’s word without compromise, regardless of the consequences. He chastised the religious leaders of the day. He was eventually killed by Herod after he told him it was wrong to take Herodias to be his wife.

 

John knew that he could question without losing faith or hope. He sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:20). Jesus didn’t reprimand John; rather, He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” (Luke 7:21).

 

How can we be like John?

1. Humbly serve our Lord Jesus, asking the Spirit to help us follow the path He has set out before us.

2. Follow Jesus’ advice to “…..not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).

3. Stand up for God’s ways and not accept any societal norms that are in opposition.

4. Honestly bring our questions to God, without accusation, seeking answers to whatever troubles us.

 

May we, like John, be faithful servants all our days.