Matchmakers

Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals.   Matthew 3:11

John’s message led people to the point where they saw their need for change, but he could not give them the power they needed to follow through. John told them that they should go to Christ.

John was a great leader—he knew the limitations of his ministry. “I can baptize you and help you express your desire to live a new life. But I cannot give you the power to change. Someone greater is coming, and he will give you that power.”

When Jesus began to preach, John identified him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Then those who had been following John left and began following Jesus. That’s what John wanted them to do. He ended up with little personal following, but his ministry was the means of many coming to Christ.

My wife, Karen, and I have some friends in England who have been happily married for twenty years. They represent our one successful attempt at matchmaking.

I was speaking at a youth conference, and we persuaded them both to join us. She had her eye on him, but he found that hard to believe. She said, “I like him, but I don’t think he’s interested.” He said, “I like her, but I don’t have a chance.”

“Ask her for a date,” I said. “I can tell you on good authority that if you do, you’ll get a positive response.” Finally it happened. I have no idea what he said to her, but it obviously met with an enthusiastic reply. After that, Karen and I faded out of the picture.

I can tell you on good authority today that Christ will welcome you. He said, “Those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them” (John 6:37). Talking to a pastor, counselor, or Christian friend can be helpful, but it can never be a substitute for having a relationship with Jesus. They may encourage you or answer your questions, but at the end of the day, you have to make that move; nobody else can do it for you.

For further reading, see Matthew 3