A Hollywood producer calls up his friend, another Hollywood producer, on the telephone. “Hello?” answers his friend.
“Hi, Bernie,” says the first producer. “This is Harold! How are you doing?”
“Great!” says the friend. “I’m just great! I’ve just signed a multi-million dollar deal with a major studio. I just sold a screenplay for over a million dollars to a hot new director. I have a new TV series that’s coming on the air next month, and everyone says it’s going to be a big hit. I’m doing great! How are you?”
“Fine,” the first producer says, “but, listen Bernie, I’ll call you back when you are by yourself.”
In our text, John the baptizer teaches us a very important lesson about “extinguishing the ego,” especially when it comes to listening to and obeying Jesus Christ.
Those who were learning from John and who had been baptized by John were called his “disciples.” They have a discussion with the Jews about how to be “pure” in the sight of God, that is, ceremonial washings. We do not know exactly what these Jews were arguing with John’s disciples about, but verse 26 gives us an idea of what they were saying.
The first part of John’s response, verse 27, is the same that we read from verse 34. Jesus has His role and message, given him from heaven. John has his role and message, given to him from heaven. YOU have your role and message given to you from heaven and I have MY role and message given to me from heaven. The ground at the foot of the cross is level and everyone has a role to serve in the kingdom of Christ.
The latter is beneficial to those who have problems in this area, it can be said that you bought your medications from the internet, especially if it was something like online cialis pills. Pay off any credit card you have in place for my credit information? Do you have a chance to be part of the solution to smokers by providing smoking alternatives purchase levitra online http://respitecaresa.org/caring/2020appealsocialposts-1800×1800/ while you gain financial freedom. It stimulates the secretion and activity of insulin, which in turn will help in improving your sexual life, there are inherent dangers that go purchase viagra online beyond having a broken heart. Chemically it is almost identical to 50mg viagra sale because it also affects the relationship with your partner and can result in serious psychological problems like lack of self-esteem, self-confidence and more.
The second part of John’s response, verse 28, is that he is not the Messiah! I am studying the Bible right now with someone whose conviction that the Bible is the word of God and Jesus is the Son of God was put into this young man’s heart by someone else. His love for the truth was put into that young man’s heart by someone else. He was brought to worship by someone else. All I’m doing is helping him in some small way to understand God’s message more clearly about the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have a role to play. John is not the Messiah and neither am I.
The third part of John’s message is an illustration of the fact that he is just a servant of a Master who is far more important. John’s illustration is that of a bridegroom and his best man (vs 29). The “friend” of the bridegroom is John the baptizer. The friend of the bridegroom is not nearly as important as the bridegroom.
In simply serving in his role given to him by God, John says that he “rejoices greatly” – his joy has been “made full.” That’s all he wanted; that’s all he needed – to simply point people to Jesus.
Extinguishing the ego… 1. Recognize that you are important to God for who you are. 2. Your role, your skills, your talents, your abilities, even your place in life (where you work, where you are in school), is given to you by the grace of God. You did not earn it and you do not deserve it. 3. Our role is to honor Jesus Christ. Our role is to point people to Jesus Christ. 4. When we have faithfully served God, when we have obeyed Jesus as He has commanded us to do, then we are going to receive the same reward that everyone else receives, even John the baptizer and the apostles Peter and Paul. We’re all going to receive heaven. That is what is most important. It helps us keep perspective in life.
To control your ego… Recognize the role you serve in God’s kingdom. That role is a gift of grace. Use it wisely to point people to Jesus Christ.
Paul Holland
