Thank You for a productive day, Father. I was able to get quite a bit done with everything else going on. And thank You for the assistance given to do so.
John 1:24-28 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the finest managers I had the privilege to work under at Kohl’s was a gentleman by the name of Roland. I know of no one who thought poorly of him. He was (and still is) well respected by all.
When I typed the word “gentleman” I felt compelled to look it up and came across an article in the Columbia (South Carolina) Metropolitan Magazine. It was entitled, Qualities of a Gentleman: Letters from refined Columbians and it fits Roland to a T.

My primary point to you is that a gentleman strives to excel as a person and provides kindness and respect toward others. He does this regardless whether it is beneficial for him to do so. He demonstrates humility and shows graciousness to all people and things. The gentleman puts others first before himself. Education, breeding and wealth are not necessary determinants of a gentleman. A gentleman is a man of character. The gentleman shows respect and a sense of pride in himself, e.g. health and appearance, but is not boastful or “wears it on his sleeve.” The gentleman personifies the total concept of chivalry, not just in manners, but also in knowing that there is “right and wrong.” The gentleman is willing to stand up for what is “right” and be willing to fight for it with his mind and/or body. A gentleman does not “play the fool” or act as a doormat. Some people do not understand how one can be both gracious and firm. A gentleman understands balance.

Another man that this could be said of was John the Baptist. Yes, he most definitely was quite a unique character, but these qualities fit him to a T, as well.
Before Jesus came on the scene, John had acquired quite the following, hence the arrival of representatives from the Pharisees. John could easily have been full of himself but absolutely everything he said and did showed submission and humility.
Take, for example, his statement when pressed answers as to why he did what he did.

“It is He [the preeminent One] who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie [even as His slave].” v27 AMP

First a definition of preeminent. Simply put it means surpassing all others. Jesus was preeminent – no one even came close. John wasn’t put off by the fact but made it very plain where he stood in relation to Jesus.
An Amplified Bible note had this to say regarding John’s statement about the sandal strap.

During this era it was customary for a household servant to remove a guest’s sandals and wash the dust from his feet. John is saying that he is not worthy even to remove Christ’s sandal, let alone to touch His feet.

Humility…isn’t it refreshing? You would think that pride would be a rarity at least in the church! …you would think…but it is not. There are most definitely gentlemen in the church but there are more than a few who are full of themselves.
The bane of the Church is pride. Another word for bane would be ruination. Nothing so readily tears down the Church as pride does. I have seen far too many “followers of me, myself, and I” in my life. They are the ones in charge. They are the ones who make the necessary decisions. Nothing can be done without their fingerprints on it.
How many lives have been shattered because people have followed the creation instead of the Creator?
Lord Jesus, may we follow the example of John. You alone are worthy. You are preeminent. May humility infuse all we say and do. Amen!

Mar 3rd, 2021, Wed, 7:01 pm