John 3:22-36

John the Baptist and My Dad

John never stands taller than in this passage. To see his ministry start to wane as that of his cousin waxed; it would have been easy to have fallen into self pity. It would have been easy to doubt or get angry or adopt any number of fleshly responses. John’s disciples certainly were hoping for such a response. But John didn’t do any of those things. Instead, he shone like a star in the heavens.

“A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven.” Wow! We know this. We really do know this. It resonates deeply in our hearts but to be able to go there when it is actually needed. That’s remarkable, John.

“He must become greater, I must become less.” That’s what it is all about. If I am going to be transformed to His image there has to be less and less of me and more and more of Him. Powerful stuff

But there is something here about John that reminds me of my dad. We are given the strange information that John’s disciples were in an argument with a Jew about ceremonial washing. Immediately after the argument they come complaining to John that people are going over to Jesus. Obviously, this “Jew” had gotten some untraditional ideas about ceremonial washing from listening to Jesus. (Read the gospels and it is easy to see why.)

When I became pastor of what was then First Assembly of God in Smyrna my predecessor was my dad. He was born in 1916 and ordained in 1948. We had some very different ideas about ministry style and even a few doctrinal differences. I really wasn’t sure how well this was going to work out. It couldn’t have worked out better.

I’m certainly not saying that I’m like Jesus and my dad like John. I am saying that most people find it very hard to allow the “next guy” to come along especially if there are even minor doctrinal differences. John was able to do it. My dad was able to do it. And by God’s grace when the time comes for me to let go I pray that I’ll stand that tall as well.

Thanks, dad.