Reflection: John 3:22-30

Saturday after Epiphany – John 3:22-30

The setting for today’s Gospel is the region of Judea.   Many people approached Jesus asking Him to baptize them.  John was in the region and he also was baptizing many people.  John’s disciples came to him and told him that Jesus was nearby and that He was baptizing many people.  The tone of the conversation gives the impression that John’s disciples were upset that so many people were asking Jesus to baptize them rather than John.  Were John’s disciples a bit jealous or envious of Jesus’ popularity?  When John’s followers approach him about this, John tells them that his role is to testify to the Christ.  He emphasizes that he is not the Christ,  rather his role is to be the “forerunner” of the Christ. 

John clearly understands that his mission is to “prepare the way” for the Christ. He is content to be the “best man” rather than the “bridegroom.”  He tells his disciples that the role of the “best man” is to be the one who waits for the bridegroom and then rejoices when the bridegroom arrive.  John clearly understood that the Christ will “increase” and his role will “decrease”!

In today’s world, many people seek to be in the limelight or to be important in some way!  John clearly knew his role.  He realized that he had a significant role in the drama that was unfolding.  However, John was fully content to “prepare the way for the Lord” and then step into the background!

Ask yourself:  Do I understand and believe that I am called to prepare the way for Christ?  How do you prepare the way for Christ’s coming?  Are we content to play our part and then step into the background?  Can be content and rejoice that we have a part to play in this drama?  Christ is the Anointed One.  Today and every day, may we prepare the way for Him.