沒有能力，當然無話可說。對於那些有能力的人，無論為自己，抑或為大眾，總想幹一番事業，一展抱負。然而，要屈居於一個比自己能力低的人，有誰甘心呢？有。
攻於心計而又有能力坐第一把交椅的人，仍拱手讓給比自己能力低的人，並把他吹捧到神臺之上；拿他作擋箭牌，自己卻在其背後，操控實權，並安排顛覆他下台。他們甘心但並不真心屈居第二位，他們的最終目標始終是坐第一把交椅。
人性並非完全如此醜惡。亦有人會為將來作長遠打算，扶植比自己能力低的人，讓他們學習，將來可以接力，完成任務。他們是真心屈居第二位的。
沒有自知之明，當然無話可說；他們不會甘心坐第二把交椅，更排斥有能力的競爭對手。由沒有能力的人去領導，又失去有能力的人輔助，任務失敗告終居多。有自知之明的人，掌握到自己有多少能力，會有多少成就。既有能力，又有自知之明，自然會找到恰當的定位，與其他人配合，做好自己份內的事，整個任務得以完成。有能力而不虛偽地推辭使命，這纔是真正的謙遜，這些是難得的真心並甘心屈居第二位的人。若翰洗者是其中的佼佼者。
若翰洗者是個有能力的人，他的言行吸引到很多百姓追隨他，甚至驚動到耶路撒冷的高層人士也，派人到約旦河，探其虛實。難怪群眾期望他是默西亞。但他有自知之明，他明白自己的位置，自己的任務。所以他真心並甘心屈居耶穌之下，並吩咐自己的門徒追隨耶穌，把自己的成就奉獻給耶穌作新以色列的基礎。他的言行，確是當今競爭激烈，爾虞我詐社會的一服清熱良藥。
天父，求祢教導我們以謙遜之心，履行祢安排給我們的使命，彰顯祢慈悲的面容。亞孟。
GENUINELY TO BE NUMBER TWO (John 1:19-28)
What more can we say if they are incompetent? For those who are capable, whether it be for oneself or for the common good, they would naturally want to flex their muscles and to realize their ambitions. As things go, who is willing to work under somebody less capable? There is!
Those who are cunning and capable to lead still offer the throne to someone less capable. Moreover, they would put him on the pedestal to be their shield while they themselves hold all the trump cards and arrange to dethrone him. They are willing but not genuinely to be number 2. Their ultimate target is the throne.
Human nature is not all that ugly and evil. There are people who are willing to bring up the less capable for the sake of long term sustainability so that somebody may carry the baton to accomplish the mission. They are genuinely willing to be number 2.
What more can we say if they are ignorant about themselves? They are not willing to be number 2 and they expel those competent rivals. Without competent support and led by incompetent leaders, most missions would end up a total failure. Those who know themselves know how capable they are and how much they can achieve. With capability and self-knowledge, they are able to position themselves appropriately. Cooperating with others and doing their parts well, they are able to accomplish the whole mission. With ability and not declining responsibility with pretension is genuine humility. Those who are genuinely willing to be number 2 are very rare. John the Baptist is one of those rare people.
John the Baptist was capable. His words and deeds had attracted many people to follow him. Even those high in position in Jerusalem were alarmed and sent a delegation to find out the truth. No wonder the people expected John the Baptist to be the Messiah. But John the Baptist knew himself well. He knew his position and his mission. Thus, he was genuinely willing to serve under Jesus and told his disciples to follow Jesus. John the Baptist offered Jesus his achievements to be the foundation of the New Israel. His words and deeds are truly an excellent antidote to the cheekily competitive society today.
Heavenly Father, teach us to execute the mission You assign us humbly to manifest Your merciful countenance. Amen.
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