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"I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie"
(Luke 3:16).
Chronologically the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia should be The Magician's Nephew. In it, Uncle Andrew, the "magician" who discovers the original "doorway" into Narnia, repeatedly asserts that he is more important than others. He tells his nephew Digory, that rules "however excellent they may be for little boys - and servants - and women - and even people in general, can't possibly be expected to be applied to profound students and great thinkers and sages. No Digory. Men like me who possess hidden wisdom, are freed from common rules..."
This type of attitude is quite common in people who are extremely gifted. In fact, my experience has been that the more gifted the person, the more common the attitude. Of course most people, especially those who are Christians, would not actually state that they are more important than others. That would be too crass. Instead they often declare it through their actions, their words and their demeanor.
Some would reveal such an attitude through a statement like, "That musical piece is beneath my skill level." For others it might be something along the lines of, "You want me to just sing in the choir -- not as one of the main vocalists?" Still others would have an attitude that declares, "It's fortunate for you that I came along when I did, because you obviously need my help."
Of all of the people who perhaps could have had a right to such an attitude, John the Baptist stands out in my mind. His birth was foretold by an angel. Because of the miraculous events leading up to his birth, many wondered, "What then is this child going to be?" (Luke 1:66). That verse continues with these words, "For the Lord's hand was with him." Not many of us could declare such a beginning.
When John's actual ministry started, crowds flocked to him. He was immediately popular, becoming one of the most talked-about people in Israel. In fact, people even began to wonder if he was the long awaited Messiah (Luke 3:15).
That's all pretty heady stuff. He could easily have begun to think he was really someone special. After all, Jesus would ultimately declare, "I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). It would have been quite simple -- perhaps even normal in his fleshly nature -- to think of himself as above everyone else. But he didn't.
Instead, he used his gifts to point people to Jesus. He told the throngs of people who wanted to make him the king that he was the wrong guy. "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (Luke 3:16). Those are pretty humbling words from someone who had the potential to be really, really important.
Finally, John said those memorable words, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). John wanted to get himself out of the way so that Jesus would get the spotlight. Whatever he did, John wanted Jesus to receive the ultimate glory.
What about you? Are you more like Uncle Andrew in The Magician's Nephew or are you more like John the Baptist? Do you think you're better than everyone else or are you humbly pointing people to Jesus?
Lord, forgive my prideful heart. Too often I have been more like Uncle Andrew and not enough like John the Baptist. God, would You -- in Your mercy -- change my heart and cause me to desire You to be honored and glorified above all else? Cause me to use my gifts and abilities to point people toward You, always.
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