“After this, Jesus and his disciples came into Judean territory, and there he spent time with them and was baptizing. John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming to him and being baptized. (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)
Now a dispute came about between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew concerning ceremonial washing. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you testified – see, he is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to him!” —John 3:22-26
For some reason I think my toes are going to be stepped on today! Have you ever longingly looked at someone else’s spiritual gifts and their seemingly effortless ability to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God?
You come away feeling, as my Momma used to say, like “a ne’re do well.” I just recently had this exact experience! Watching wide eyed (and with great appreciation) I watched a friend serve a a delicious “loaves and fishes” meal to more than anticipated–and without one drop of sweat or furrowed brow! The meal came off as smooth as crème brulee! From one that has a difficult time even boiling water, you certainly can imagine my awe! And then there were those who welcomed many visitors into their home with warm hospitality–opening their arms as wide their doors to embrace and encourage the weary. I have to admit, I felt a bit of jealousy–not that they practiced their gifts so superbly, but that I am so want of them! What wonderful ways to show forth God’s love to others!
I can’t help but believe that the same feeling of jealousy was occurring with John the Baptist’s disciples in our verses for today. People were turning to Jesus to be baptized instead of John–and it sounds as if John’s disciples were a bit jealous!
As disciples of Christ, our goal is to point those around us to Him! Our gifts are given to us in order for us to achieve this goal. We are not responsible for the results; we are responsible to be faithful with the gifts God has given us. God may use others to minister to thousands and use us to minister to only a few–but it is our faithfulness that matters in His eyes.
I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians regarding the importance of Christ being preached regardless of the motive behind the preaching:
“Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.” —Philippians 1:15-18
Take It to Heart
Paul rejoiced over the fact that Christ was preached! Indeed, when the church in Corinth began disputing over following Paul or following Apollos–both servants of Jesus–Paul’s response gives us the attitude we are to seek:
“In fact, you are still not ready for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? For whenever someone says, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” are you not merely human?
What is Apollos, really? Or what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, and each of us in the ministry the Lord gave us. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow. So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work.We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building.” —Corinthians 3:3-9
God gives His gifts to His people specifically for His tasks.
“For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.” —Ephesians 2:10
Further Reflections
“Provided that God be glorified, we must not care by whom.” —Francis de Sales
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” —Edmund Burke
“Character in a saint means the disposition of Jesus Christ persistently manifested.” —Oswald Chambers
“In Christ’s Kingdom, no work is ever accomplished alone. TOGETHER, is how we fulfill our Lord’s mandate and exemplify His message.” —Olivia Xavier
“I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me.” —Hudson Taylor