As we move to the next passage in John’s Gospel, it’s as if the camera pans over to a scene when John the Baptist, who we’ve met before, is faithfully doing his work of baptizing repentant Jews. The difference is that this time Jesus is not an unknown figure; rather Jesus himself is baptizing somewhere else and his popularity is growing.
John alludes to a Jewish wedding tradition where the friend of the groom would wait at the gate and announce the coming of the groom. If we let it, this passage can challenge our desire to be the main event, when perhaps, we’re called to play a supporting role in a bigger story.
----------REFLECT----------
1. Have you ever felt like the disciples in this passage? Have you ever felt obsolete?
2. Consider where you are in your life. In what ways are you and your community called to play a supporting role to the work of Jesus?
3. We can also tend to want to be the main event in our own lives… What would it mean for you to live today in light of the Father placing everything in Jesus’ hands?
----------CONNECT----------
