Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John 1:32-34
John the Baptist becomes the first since Jesus birth to proclaim Him as God’s Chosen One. All through his ministry, John has said one who is greater than he is coming, and now God gives him the opportunity to see Jesus and let the people know He has come. However, even though he has seen the Lord, John won’t get the chance to see what happens next.
That’s the way ministry works, we rarely get to see the full effect ourselves. Paul writes “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7). John did what God had called him to do – point people toward the Messiah, drawing their attention to Him that they might hear His saving message.
We need to be aware that what God calls us to do is important to His kingdom, but we may not see the whole of it. As a friend puts it “we don’t know where the edges are”. Our work is only one piece of the whole that is God’s creation. Do your part and do not worry about the other parts, remembering that God gives the growth.
Loving Lord, we are always concerned about “the big picture”. Help us to see how we all fit together, but keep us focused on what You have called us to do individually. Amen.
You read the amazing account of all the spiritual giants in Hebrews 11, “The Hall of Faith.” And yet the chapter ends with,
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised. Because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be perfect.