Stay Covered in the Dust of Your Rabbi
In this Advent season, I’ve been digging a little more deeply into the life of John the Baptist, because no-one, and nothing, is more symbolic of the Advent of Jesus than John.
I want to know from his life how we might live as we Pre-Advent Jesus second arrival.
I loved this message from our former pastor, which he posted recently on Facebook – a much needed reminder that Jesus is, indeed, coming again:
“Advent. Jesus came the first time to bear the cross and He will come a second time to wear the crown. Because we had a First Coming, we are guaranteed a Second Coming. Jesus will come again to finally and forever put an end to all that is contrary to the will of God. This is the certain hope of every follower of Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus (Jeff Daley).”
One of the things that impresses me most about John is his unique demeanor (camel’s skin clothing and locust-eating aside).
Raised by a righteous priest, who walked blamelessly before the Lord (Luke 1:6), John stepped into the role of rabbi at a very young age.
He seemed to quickly gain a following of disciples – men who wanted to adopt his message and way of life; men who walked the same road he walked; lived life alongside him; and, leaned into his teachings and belief system (certainly not easy-believism-stuff).
We don’t know how many disciples with whom John journeyed, but we do know that one of them was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (John 1:35-42).
And, we do know that several of John’s disciples soon began to follow the new rabbi gaining notoriety around the area (Jesus). They left John’s dust, for Jesus’.
YET, we never see competition between John and Jesus.
One of the most notable Jewish blessings of the day was this one:
“May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.”
Meaning, may you walk so closely behind your rabbi, as you learn from him, that you are always covered in his dust.
Acceptance by a rabbi in those days was akin to being accepted into an Ivy League doctoral program. It was a big deal…so, to leave following one rabbi for another just didn’t happen…
Yet, John’s disciples exchanged the source of their dust…as Jesus came on the scene inviting ALL who would, “Come, follow me (Matthew 4:19).”
…and, John happily (or so it seems) celebrated the new rabbi his disciples followed: Jesus, the Lamb of God.
John’s whole demeanor declares loudly the essence of humility.
He believed, and lived it out, that he held no special significance, or importance, that put him above any other.
He lived totally against typical human behavior – his attitude opposite the norm.
Gotta tell ya, if I were John, I’d battle jealousy (especially if they were “my” disciples…), and, sadly, jealousy smacks of pride.
But, this was not John’s way, and it fits how he always lifted up Christ, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease…He who comes from heaven is above all (John 3:30-31)…”
John’s life gives us a clear picture of how we, too, are to live during the wait for our Second Advent: humbly exalting Jesus, giving Him first place, seeing Him honored above all, excited when others are drawn to Him, willing to take a back seat, so that His name is proclaimed, exchanging our agenda for His…
…and, above all, showing others how to walk in the footprints He left behind, covered in His metaphorical dust, traveling with Him through the teaching of His Words, as we wait for His return.
In other words, live as a passionate, sold out, disciple of Jesus.
PS. Great read: “Practicing the Way,” by John Mark Comer. Available on Amazon here.