David Bahn – Reflections

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷ and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

And Mary said [to the angel Gabriel who had announced the coming birth of Jesus], “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Maybe you remember the ad campaign, “I’m Second.” The campaign was a Christian media and outreach movement launched in 2008 by the e3 Partners Ministry, based in Texas. Its central message is that Jesus is first, and individuals—no matter their fame, wealth, or struggles—find purpose and identity when they put themselves second to Christ. It’s a way of saying, “I’m not first,” in other words portraying a spirit of humility.

Years ago I interviewed for the position of assistant to the President of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. I was honored to have been considered. During the interview process, however, it became clear that I was not to be second to the President, but a step removed from that position. I’m not sure I was all that humble about my reaction to that. I thought, I’m willing to play second fiddle to the President, but not third fiddle. For the record the man who eventually took that role was eminently qualified for it – second or third fiddle status.

John was second fiddle to Jesus. John’s mission was to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. This had been promised through the prophet Malachi. He will be born of Zechariah and Elizabeth “to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Yet as important as he was, and vital to the Redemption Saga of God, his humility factor was extraordinary. When the time came for Jesus to inaugurate his public ministry, he said, “He must increase. I must decrease” (cf. John 3:30). He made no presumptive claim to being anything other than the one preparing the way for Jesus.

Mary responds to Gabriel’s announcement of the coming birth (through her!) of the Savior humbly saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” So she was. And she bore the Savior of the Word in her body and brought him into the world. Yet she remained the Lord’s servant.

Most followers of Jesus are willing to play second fiddle to Jesus. But as Christ-followers, we are also to be willing to play second fiddle to one another. Philippians 2:3 says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” In other words we ought always be willing to be second.