Many pastors today almost become celebrity. They make the church they lead and the gospel more about them than Christ. That is not to say that every famous pastor is this way. By all means not. But you can see them if you pay attention. Their picture is everywhere, on every book, flyer and website. Their name is everywhere. It becomes almost a cult of personality. Pay attention any time the personality of the leader eclipses the focus on Christ. Instead, seek after leaders like John the Baptist. It was all about Christ, even when people asked him about himself. He was humble. He knew his place and purpose. He did not glorify himself.
The Testimony of John
19This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”23He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30“This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31“I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33“I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34“I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
Let us all testify of Christ. Let us point others to Him rather than ourselves, even in our daily lives. What is good that the Lord has done in our lives, when others notice, point to Christ rather than ourselves. Let all the positive attention go to Him, for He is Lord and we are but servants.
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