Over the past few weeks I have been very impacted by a certain aspect of the life of John the Baptist: particularly in his determination to fulfil the task to which he was called to be the forerunner for Jesus. He had developed a decent Church or following in the middle of nowhere, preached repentance and baptism to which the people responded positively. He didn’t mince His words, ‘vipers;’ ‘be satisfied with your pay’ etc.

Then at the height of His popularity and success he pointed the people to Jesus.

The temptation could have been to say, “these are my people,” “I’ve done all the hard work, ” or “Plant your own Church.” His continuing talk of ‘Increase and decrease’ and ‘Not being worthy of unfastening sandals’ wasn’t just rhetoric to impress but a genuine heart response.
 
Now the big test. – a question.
‘Are you the Christ? Or Elijah? –  In other words, give us a name!
Are you a Prophet? – In other words, give us a title!
John offered no name, no title, he simply made reference to the fact that he was a voice pointing to another.
 
At some point in our Leadership roles we will all be faced with the challenge of whether we want to be ‘a name’ ‘a title’ or ‘ a voice.’ As Leaders we are simply called to be a voice that points to another – to Jesus.
 

Ian Watson
National Leadership Team

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