Real Respect

 “It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Status respect is logically earned than demanded; but disrespect is evident when it is being demanded or competed. While the expression of respect for Jesus Christ by John the Baptist can easily pass as status respect, it is actually the expression of his satisfaction in the purpose and plan of God for his life. Whenever we become dissatisfied with our roles and responsibilities in life, our state of dissatisfaction is covered up by an unhealthy competition and a subtle disrespect for others in the room. The Pharisees had wanted to assign the roles and responsibilities of the expected Prophet, Christ, or Elijah to John the Baptist; but he quickly realized that real respect is not just the recognition of the superiority of the status of Jesus. It is simply the expression of his satisfaction as the forerunner of Jesus, even if privileged to extend the message of repentance to the people. Therefore, the real respect in life is not really the respect of others; but the recognition and appreciation of our roles and responsibilities in fulfillment of the plan and purpose of God.


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