A Faithful Servant

John the Baptist was a key individual in God’s Kingdom. He had a thriving ministry and a close relationship with his cousin Jesus. His life was prophesied about over seven hundred years before he was born (Isaiah 40:3), which means, long before birth, his life was uniquely set apart to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus.

He proclaimed a very challenging message of repentance to the people of his day, leaving no room for doubt that the Messiah’s coming was right around the corner so get your life right with God today. John never performed a miraculous sign. He simply, and yet profoundly, obeyed God’s call on his life, preparing the ground, so that when Jesus came on the scene, the ones who were ready believed. He was a faithful servant.

To be known as a servant isn’t the most exciting title and yet Jesus had much to say about being a servant in God’s Kingdom. ‘The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted’ (Matthew 23:11-12). ‘Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matthew 20:26-28).

And of John the Baptist Jesus said, ‘Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist’ (Matthew 11:11).

To be a servant of the Lord is to be like Jesus and is the highest calling. God’s servants are everywhere, in hospitals, police stations, schools and government offices. They are caring for the sick, waiting on tables, preaching to hundreds or having coffee with the one. God’s servants are the army of God on earth and they have the authority and capacity to influence nations for Christ as they serve where God has planted them.

John’s true heart was revealed when he said of Jesus, “He (Jesus) must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30). John fulfilled the work that God had prepared in advance for him to do and his life and death was not in vain. The testimony he proclaimed day after day was powerful and fruitful for God’s Kingdom.

The servants of God will overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, not loving their lives so much as to shrink from death (Revelation 12:11).

Prayer: Father, thank You for calling my name. I want to be able to rest in who I am in You so that I too can prepare the way for Your Son Jesus, who is coming again very soon. Make me more like Jesus I pray. Amen.