Our human nature invariably compares our lives with the lives of others. The world’s culture teaches people to determine their worth, their value, their success on the basis of how well they compare to others. C.S. Lewis said that one of the challenges to the followers of Jesus is to learn to play great parts without pride and small parts without shame.
God is working His plan of redemption and has a part for every one of His children. From God’s perspective each part is essential. As John the Baptist models for us, our response to God’s grace in assigning a part to us, is to accept the part and do our very best to fulfill God’s role for us.
Our roles in God’s play change over time. John the Baptist spent many years as a student, preparing for his role. The day came when he was the only voice for God in Israel. The scriptures tell of masses of people making pilgrimages out into the wilderness to hear John and to be baptized by him. Then the day came when God revealed the Messiah to John and John’s role changed as he passed the torch to Jesus. John’s message to Israel diminished while Jesus became the voice for God in Israel.
I believe we all have similar experiences in life. For parents, there was the time when we were the voice of authority for our children. When our children became adults our role changed to that of counselor or advisor – when asked. As a pastor, there was a time when I was casting God’s vision for the congregation, when I was God’s voice to the congregation. There is also a time when my role diminishes and I pass the torch to the next pastor to carry on the work of God.
Our passage today is an invitation to reflect on our lives. How well are we flowing with God’s plans for our lives. Are we following His plan, His agenda, or are we pushing forward with our own agenda?
(Note: Some translations continue the quotation marks to include verses 31-36 in John the Baptist’s comments to his disciples. However, I believe his comments end at verse 30. The rest of the chapter is John’s (the author of the Gospel) commentary.)
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
7-Mar-12 John 4:4-26
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