GETTING IN THE WAY OF JESUS

When our youth leader asked our group a difficult question about the life of Jesus, my hand shot up. I had just read the story, so I knew this one. And I wanted the others in the room to know that I knew it. Then I had a sudden panic: what if the answer wasn’t what I thought? I didn’t want to look stupid in front of my friends. So I lowered my hand. Am I really this insecure? I asked
myself. Suddenly I realised all my thinking and motivation was about me and how I looked.

John the Baptist shows us a better way. When his disciples complained that people were beginning to leave him and follow Jesus, John said he was pleased to hear it. He was just the messenger. “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him . . . He must become greater; I must become less” (JOHN 3:28-30). John realised the point of his existence was Jesus. He is “the one who comes from heaven” and “is above all” (V.31)—the Son who gave His life for us. He must
receive all the glory and praise.

Any attention drawn to ourselves distracts others from Jesus. And since He is our only Saviour and the only hope for the world, any credit we steal from Him ends up hurting us and others. There’s no harm giving an answer we know in a Bible study. But let’s also try to step out of the picture—to make sure what we say and do is about helping people see Jesus, and not ourselves. It’s best for Him, for the world and for us.

Thinking it over . . .

When are you tempted to share the spotlight with Jesus? How can you turn your attention to where it belongs?