Sunday January 26

Highly Recommended

Matt. 11:11 Assuredly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist...

One of the jobs that I have to do frequently as a pastor is to write recommendations. A recommendation is supposed to help you to get into school or to get that job you want. Sometimes I have to refuse to write a recommendation because I do not know the person well enough, or because if I write what I know it will not help him. The people who receive the recommendation are depending upon the writer to speak the truth and to tell important things about the person that may not be obvious so they can make wise decisions.

One guy in the Bible got the best recommendation ever, because his recommendation was given by Jesus Himself! Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves and He always speaks the truth. Speaking about John the Baptist Jesus said, “John was the greatest”. Wow! What a recommendation! What was so special about John that Jesus could have recommended him so highly?

Well, John was called and chosen before he was born just like God planned for each of us before we were born. The angel told his parents that he would be special and would do a special work for God. He grew up knowing this and prepared himself to do God’s work. John lived a simple life, kept out of bad company; and, growing up in the country, he spent a lot of time with God in nature. He stuck to simple, healthy foods and had lots of fresh air and physical activity.

John took his mission seriously. As a preacher, he preached exactly what God wanted him to preach. He did not allow fear or friendship to get in his way. He spoke the truth. An excellent preacher with a lot of courage, many people were baptized because of his preaching. In the end, he did his duty as a preacher even though it would cost him his life.

Perhaps one of the most outstanding things about John was his humility. He was a very popular preacher, but when Jesus began His ministry, John pointed the people to Jesus saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease”. He was happy to let Jesus take the limelight while he walked away quietly. You know real greatness through humility and selflessness.

So, how about you? People see you and have their own opinions about you. But God who knows you best, what does He think about you? Can you be highly recommended?

Dear Lord, work on me I pray and make me the kind of person that you can highly recommend, in Jesus’ name, amen.