We read the story about the greatest man that ever lived - John the Baptist - in Matthew 11:1-11 (The Message), “When Jesus finished placing this charge before His twelve disciples, He went on to teach and preach in their villages. John (the Baptizer), meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, ‘Are You the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?’ Jesus told them, ‘Go back and tell John what's going on: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side. Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!’ When John's disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. ‘What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A prophet? That's right, a prophet! Probably the best prophet you'll ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, I’m sending My prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you’. Let Me tell you what's going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him.”
Jesus had no problem calling John the greatest man ever and, once we understand why, it makes perfect sense. It wasn’t because he was greater than Jesus; it was because his attitude about Jesus was, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).
Jesus sent the message back to John to simply look at what was happening. He didn’t really answer the question. We sometimes face disappointments in our circumstances and ask God if we should expect more, or is this it. We expect Jesus to heal our marriage and it hasn’t happen yet. “This really matters to me. I am in a dark, lonely, solitary place. God I love you and I trust you, but is this really it or should I expect more?”
In verse 7, Jesus talked to the crowd about John behind his back. When Jesus sent the message to John He told him what was happening. He wanted John to put confidence in what He was doing. There is safety in getting your affirmation from what Jesus has done for you, not what you are doing for Jesus. Jesus first told John what good things were happening and then He told the crowd what great things John was doing, but He didn’t tell John; He told the crowd.
Jesus wanted John and you to know the following: You are doing better than you think you are.
John didn’t get to see all the miracles that were happening because he prepared the way for Jesus. You cannot disappoint a God who already knows all the mistakes you have made and are going to make and decided to die for you anyway. God does not work through condemnation, but through affirmation. So many people quit because they have no idea how close they are to their miracle or how far they have come.
You matter more than you think you do. John prepared the way for Jesus and then got to give his life as a martyr for Him. Jesus didn’t answer the question, “Are You the One?” He only gave evidence that He was the One, but when He spoke to the crowd He gave accolades to John.
When you give money to Covenant Keepers you are telling the world, “God heals hurting marriages.” You are helping save marriages around the world and you will get a reward.
If you are a leader, an assistant leader, Regional Director, Regional Prayer Director, or someone who prays for other marriages in your church, city or world-wide for CK’s, then you matter in God’s kingdom. One day you will hear your Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
It’s less about you than you think it is. Yes, you matter more than you think you do. Yes, it’s not about you. Without Christ you are nothing, but since you are not without Him, you have everything. There is a greater purpose. One day you will see the generations that you have affected – not just your family, but families around the world.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be great - in terms of your performance, or your influence. What you have to ask is, “Why do I want to be great and how am I going to get there?”
- If you want to be great, be great for God’s sake.
- If you want to be great, be great in a way that makes Jesus even greater.
- If you want to be great, be a servant of all.
- If you want to be great, put yourself at the bottom.
Written by Carolyn Johnson
