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Signposts
by
Joel E. Kim |
Dear Alumni,
My three-year-old daughter is into signs these days.
Whenever we’re in the car together, she peppers me with
questions about signs that she sees outside her window. This
morning was no exception. Our conversation went something
like this:
Anna: “Daddy, what does that sign say that has a ‘no’ and an ‘r’ after it?”
Daddy: “Anna, it says ‘No Right Turn.’”
Anna: “Why?”
Daddy: “Because there are cars coming out of the freeway, and if we turn right, we’ll run into those cars.”
Anna: “It’s because it’s dangerous?”
Daddy: “Yes, Anna, it’s dangerous.”
Even at her young age, my daughter understands the purpose of signposts. Signs point us to a reality, to direct us or to warn us. As long as they point clearly and accurately, signposts have served their purpose.
I am reminded of the conversation with my daughter as I prepare for my Greek 4 class. Do you remember those classes? As some of you might remember, Greek 4 is primarily a reading class, translating and interpreting selected passages from the New Testament. For our class this year, we have been reading through the Gospel of John and we expect to finish reading about John the Baptist tomorrow (John 1:19-42). As I read through the introduction of John the Baptist, I could not help but notice the similarity between John the Baptist and a signpost.
In John 1:19, we find John the Baptist in the midst of an interrogation, being peppered with questions by the learned Jewish leaders from Jerusalem. Although the pericope begins with the statement that this is the testimony of John, we find out hardly anything about John. When asked who he is, he emphatically denies that he is the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. Just as the “I am” statements prove so significant for illuminating the identity of Jesus, the “I am not” statements of John (1:20,21) are just as telling. When pressed further by the inquisitors, he only reveals himself in relation to another. Quoting Isaiah, he describes himself as a servant with a job to do, to “prepare the way of the Lord.” The difference between him and the coming Lord is so great, that John considers himself unworthy of doing menial tasks for him, even untying his sandals.
Even as the narrative continues the story of John the Baptist in 1:29-34, we find out less about John and more about the identity of the person John proclaims. As Jesus enters the narrative, John declares him to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” “the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit,” and – and perhaps most importantly for the Gospel of John – “the Son of God.” What began as a quest by the leaders of the Jews to seek a testimony from John about himself became an opportunity for John to testify concerning Jesus. Having testified about Jesus, John disappears, literally. His disciples leave him to follow Jesus about whom John proclaimed, and John simple fades away from the narrative.
I think this is where the signpost analogy seems appropriate. John was doing what all good signposts should do. A good signpost does not demand attention for itself, but points to an impending reality. Moreover, a good signpost is judged not by its beauty or size, but its accuracy and clarity. What good is a beautiful and large sign if the information provided is wrong or difficult to decipher? In a similar way, John deflected any attention from himself, but pointed to the one greater than he. It mattered not how he looked or how he was received by his questioners, as long as he testified concerning Jesus with accuracy and clarity, he has done his job. He has indeed practiced what he proclaimed: “[Christ] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
This is a day and age when we really need good signposts that point to Christ. We need faithful people who deflect attention from themselves and point – accurately and clearly – to Christ, who gave to them the wonderful privilege of serving Him. May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to be faithful signposts for Him.
Joel E. Kim
Assistant Professor of New Testament
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