SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS AND DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

I am not the Messiah. 

Imagine how tempting it might have been! A delegation from Israel’s leaders come to John the Baptist and ask if he is a prophet or the promised Messiah. You keep saying and doing messianic things, they say. Why not just come right out and proclaim yourself the Messiah?

With all this pressure, maybe John felt tempted to take up the mantle of the Messiah for himself. Imagine the difference he could have made if he did. He already had a group of devoted followers and was admired by the general population. What if he led a march on Jerusalem to unseat the king? He could make it much easier for Jesus if he did. With Herod gone, Jesus could easily ascend the throne and restore the line of David. The age of the Messiah would begin—and John would be the one to usher it in!

But John knew he had a different role to play, so he refused whatever temptations he may have faced. Rather than prepare a throne for Jesus, he would prepare people’s hearts for him. Rather than stage a coup that would put him at Jesus’ side, he would remain by the river and continue pointing to Jesus. He would stay in the background and die a martyr’s death without even seeing the fulfillment of all he had announced.

It’s not always easy to accept God’s plan for us. Sometimes we envision ourselves doing great things for God—and getting recognized and praised for it in the process. But no opportunities present themselves, and we go unnoticed. Or sometimes we are tempted to shrink back when the cross we are called to carry seems too heavy to bear.

When situations like these come up, remember John the Baptist and stand firm. Trust that, like John, you can be a far more effective voice announcing the good news if you stay faithful to your call than if you try to forge your own path. Believe that Jesus is trustworthy; he will reward you for your faithfulness.

“Thank you, Lord, for the steadfast witness of your servant, John. Help me to hold fast to my calling when I am tempted to go my own way.”

1 John 2:22-28
Psalm 98:1-4
John 1:19-28

WORD AMONG US