I grew up on country music—Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, and the like. There was one song in particular that my mom used to turn up loudly because she said it reminded her of me: “I Wanna Talk About Me” by Toby Keith. I probably don’t have to quote the lyrics for you to see that it’s not a flattering comment. Hopefully, I’ve grown in humility since my early childhood days, but I digress …

We’re now in the second Gospel out of four, and Mark’s Gospel is quick, almost pithy. As we read, we see that Mark does not mince words. It’s action after action, and in the first few verses alone, Mark is on a mission to reveal the identity of Jesus, who is Messiah (v. 1), Son of God (v. 1), and Lord (v. 3).

In today’s Scripture reading, we are once again introduced to John the Baptist (Matthew 3), and it’s clear from the get-go that he would not be singing Mr. Keith’s song. On the contrary, Mark quotes the prophet Isaiah and asserts that John has come to “prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.” Then we get a great description of John’s fashion and gastronomic tastes—he wears camel hair and leather and eats locusts. Huh.

Here’s the thing: EVERYTHING John does—and everything he is—prepares the way for this Messiah, Son of God, and Lord that Mark is eager to reveal. John prepares the way not just by announcing, but by modeling. Like John’s humble clothing and diet, Jesus is also humble. He is a king, but he will enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:7)! In his baptizing, John points to “the one who is greater than I am” (Mark 1:7). John is clear: I don’t wanna talk about me; I wanna talk about Jesus!

Too many preachers, teachers, worship leaders, and influencers in our world today get caught up in a message of “Jesus-plus.” Jesus + this style. Jesus + this aesthetic. Jesus + this temperament or this way of speaking. Jesus + fame or brand. Instead of pointing to Jesus alone as the hope of the world, we sprinkle in self-promotion—as if anything we offer apart from Jesus can save us.

It’s not bad to want to wear something better than camel hair, but the point remains: Even today, two millennia after Jesus came to earth, we—whether we preach Jesus from a pulpit, a stage, or in daily conversation—are only a preface to a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. Jesus himself changes hearts and lives. All we can do is point. Who are we pointing to? Jesus-plus? Or are we, like John the Baptist and Mark, pointing in ALL we say, do, and are to Jesus the Lord, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah? He is the one who is “greater than I,” because he alone can save us.

Reflection:

  • What does it mean to you that Jesus is Lord, Messiah, and Son of God? How do you see each of these names of Jesus evident in your life?
  • It’s not bad to have preferences or personality traits—they’re what make us unique! How can we, as followers of Jesus, work to limit the ways that our own preferences, personality traits, or pride fuse with the Good News we are to share with those around us?
  • Take a moment to reflect with God: How are you preparing the way for those around you to encounter Jesus? What ways are you pointing to Jesus, and where might you be pointing to Jesus-plus?