I have never been a huge fan of the “Hour of Power” TV show (to date – a 40 year running Bible teaching ministry of Robert Schuller), but my parents were. It isn’t that there is anything wrong with it, it is just that it became popular a generation before me. However, as God often does funny things, I have become good friends with some of the staff there. In fact, the Crystal Cathedral is actually in the same denomination as Oasis Church – kind of funny as we are very different in practice and style.

Today, the “Hour of Power” aired a message done by a friend of mine, and elder at the Crystal Cathedral. I recorded it to hear his message. Come to find out, someone I am very interested in was there too. His name is Chad Hennings. He is an Air Force pilot, a great author, and an amazing Christian man. However, as anyone who knows me will understand, it is the fact that he is a three-time Superbowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys that I most like – that on top of loving Jesus makes him all the better! He was speaking at the Crystal Cathedral when he was asked by. Dr. Schuller if he wears any of his Superbowl rings. His answer amazed me. He said, “All that came before this was just a means to an end – to make Jesus known to the world.” I was truly impressed.

As I read Matthew 3, I see the very same thing. It is the story about John the Baptist (or “John the Baptizer” as some prefer), and John baptizing Jesus. John has created an amazing ministry out of what seems quirky at least. He eats a strange diet of locusts and wild honey, and he wears a strange outfit made out of camel’s hair and leather. Yet, his message is amazingly simple: “Repent! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

John the Baptist’s ministry grows so large that it says all of Jerusalem and Judea are coming to him. Even the religious elite are coming to be baptized by John. Imagine that this is probably a very large, very famous ministry, lead by a very famous character.

What impresses me most is what John knows about his own ministry.

In verse 11, Matthew records John the Baptist as saying “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” John knows something that we all need to know. He knows who he is, and who he isn’t.

Just like Chad Hennings, John the Baptist knows that his status is not about himself, that he has come to make Jesus known to others. All that God has done through John the Baptist, and all that God continues to do through Chad Hennings, is all about making Jesus famous.

How will you make Jesus famous?