Showing Off

"Jesus' brothers said to him, 'You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.  No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.  Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.'  For even his own brothers did not believe in him."  

-John 7: 3-5

As I read chapter 7 of the Gospel of John last night, this verse stopped me in my tracks.  Here is Jesus, the son of God, performing miracle after miracle--- all in private.  I certainly find myself just as perplexed as his brothers and closest followers that Jesus would keep His incredible works out of the public light.  If the son of God was walking around right now, you'd better believe every news channel and reality TV show would be following him!  And yet, Jesus doesn't show off.  Jesus, the one person who has ever lived who actually has the absolute right to boast of his miraculous works, doesn't.

How convicting is that for us?  There are so many times I catch myself doing things solely for recognition.  Whether it's doing a good job on a project, volunteering, or even offering to pray for a friend, I'm ashamed to admit that my desire for recognition rears its ugly head.  Of course I love praying and enjoy helping others, but my earthly need to be appreciated and applauded is always there.

As I've reflected upon this unfortunate truth, I'm reminded of 2 Corinthians 11:30,

"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness."

 When I boast in my own self and my own perceived strengths, I divert the glory from my Savior.  If Jesus Himself was unwilling to boast in His own works, there is no excuse for me to want credit for the miniscule things I do.  None of what I do is possible without Him!  I pray that as I learn and grow, I will give Him all glory.  

In the words of Romans 12:10, we are called to,

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  

 I pray that we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who honored us so much more than Himself as to humble Himself to death upon the cross.