Mark 1
1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.[a] It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.[b]
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’[c]”
7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
If only everybody is like John the Baptist. He knew he was just the messenger. He wasn’t the star of the show. He was not THE MAN. He was just a man.
Even as a pastor I am tempted sometimes to put the spotlight on me. That I am the reason people are coming back to church. But let us not kid ourselves. Apart from the grace of God we are nothing, literally.
Lord make me be like John who knew that his ministry is to prepare the way for the Lord and to point people to Jesus. All to Jesus, none of me.