As a Sunday school teacher, from time to time someone will come to my class, spend one week with us and then leave, sometimes telling me he wants to check out another class. I thank him for stopping by and considering our class and what we are discussing, and tell him I hope he finds what he is looking for. To be perfectly honest, I have to admit there is a tinge of jealousy on my part, as I watch him walk away. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, and I put the feeling down, recognizing it is only from the flesh, but, still, it is there; and it surfaced, even if I am the only one who noticed. Do we all have such feelings? I don’t know—but I know I do.
I really appreciate the manner in which John acted when Jesus came on the scene. In every work of God, the greatest work was always done in the beginning by the first one God chose. Yet, John saw Jesus come and even take away part of his following. The fact is, the people began showing up at Jesus’ revivals more often than at John’s. John’s disciples noticed it too, and mentioned it to him (John 3:26), but John replied that a man can do nothing except that which he is empowered to do from above (John 3:27). John went on to say that he told them often that he (John) was not the Messiah. Instead John saw his ministry as that of the best man at a wedding. He rejoiced to see the coming of his Friend to take his wife (John 3:28-29). John saw his own task as being fulfilled in the coming of the One he was sent to serve. John was sent before Jesus to announce Jesus’ arrival. That was enough for John. He was pleased to see Jesus. Now Jesus must increase and John must decrease. He would have it no other way. (John 3:30).
We who are of this earth can speak only in earthly terms. Yet, we point to the coming of One who speaks the very words of God into the hearts of men. All too often, men refuse to listen, because their hearts are unprepared to understand spiritual things. They cannot ‘hear’ the call of Christ. But those who do and answer have confirmed by their following Jesus that God is true. This is not the work of a man but of God. No man can move the hearts of men in the manner in which the Spirit does in those who follow Jesus. They hear him in their hearts and respond by dedicating their lives to his service.
As I consider this part of the Gospel of John, I have to laugh at myself and the fleshy impulse of jealousy. It is not about me or my Sunday school classroom. It is all about Jesus, and that is how it should always be. I am glad for his mercy and understanding of the weakness of the flesh. He is so patient, as he brings me along in my walk with him. I learn as Jesus’ first disciples learned, feeling the same wrong impulses, and often running ahead of him trying to do those things I have not been prepared to do. Embarrassed and defeated, I turn to him again, and he instructs me to ‘follow’ and watch him. It is not an earthly work—it is a spiritual one. Not all see it, because not all have the ‘eyes’ of their hearts opened to notice him or the ‘ears’ of their hearts to hear his call.
It is strange, at times to realize I can see what others cannot. I am able to hear what others fail to hear. It is not for me to be jealous when someone stumbles into my Sunday school classroom and announces afterward he would rather go elsewhere. He is merely listening to what that still-small-voice within is saying. He is searching, but my class doesn’t seem to fulfill his special need. It is not an earthly work that is done in us—it is a heavenly one. Not all are able to see or recognize it, but we, who have been called as John was called—to announce the coming of the Ruler of our hearts—should be able to recognize and rejoice at the voice of the Bridegroom who calls out to his wife. It is not about me or about you; it is all about our Friend who has come for us. Isn’t that true?
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