A Supporting Role
“But now even more the report about Him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear Him and to be healed of their infirmities. But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” Luke 5:15-16
Insight
I was filled with excitement and nerves. I was finally getting the chance to preach my first sermon. I grinned as I was introduced with talk of how great of a young man I am. I stepped up to the pulpit and I basked in my first step into the spotlight. Afterward, I was grinning from ear-to-ear as people thanked me and told me how well I did. As a 19-year-old, I could not help but soak it all in.
It is amazing how doing something for the Lord can well up such a sense of self-accomplishment in us. Somehow, we twist working for God as a way to get our own dose of self-praise and recognition. Then again, how difficult is it to wrestle with those desires when everything in the world promotes recognition? Think about social media. Often, it’s underlying purpose is to spotlight moments of our lives as we await the applause of others. Our desire for recognition contradicts our desire for God to be seen in our lives.
My unknowing battle of self-praise collided with the reality of Jesus. There can only be one person who truly takes the spotlight. If I am more concerned about what I am doing for Jesus rather than making Jesus known, then I am putting Jesus in the background. The tension I face every day is trying to navigate this life in a way that I play a supporting role rather than the lead. Ultimately, every human who chooses to follow Jesus will face the same tension.
The second part of today’s verse is an important reminder on how to push against that tension. Luke records that Jesus would withdraw from everyone and pray. Now, if we believe Jesus was fully human, then we could make a case that He also had to deal with the tension of the spotlight. The purpose of His teachings and healings were to point towards something greater. John who had witnessed every sign Jesus performed revealed the greater purpose: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).
Jesus needed those moments in desolate places to pray and remind Himself of His purpose. When Jesus committed to time alone with His Father, He re-centered Himself on what truly mattered. Jesus used every interaction as a chance to point people towards His Father.
No matter how large the group that followed Jesus, Jesus always made time to escape and talk to His Father so that He could be alone with the One who sent Him. We have the same access Jesus did. When the tension begins to rise to take the spotlight, may we choose the background and do everything we can to point people to One who loves unconditionally.
Reflection
Surrender the spotlight in your works for Jesus, and use everything to point to Him.
Prayer
Father, thank you for paving the way for something new. What an undeserved reality that I can have full access to the One who sent me. May I push against the tension for recognition and point that recognition towards You. You are worthy of all recognition from all of mankind. May Your works be seen so that people can know You are the Son of God. I love You Father, and pray this all in Your holy name, Amen.
PC3 writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
