JESUS’ Little Secret was the Secret to Staying Little.
It was a strange moment. The Greeks came to Jerusalem during the feast of Passover and were hoping to meet the renowned miracle working Rabbi.
The disciples relayed the message to Jesus. No doubt this had to be good news since His message and ministry was now getting global attention and nations were coming to Israel to meet Him!
However, John 12:23 presents an interesting plot twist.
“BUT Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
The moment His ministry started going international He began talking about ending His ministry. What happened?
The American mindset is always “bigger is better” and “go big or go home.” However, Jesus did not have the itch we have to be famous. He had no desire to meet the Greeks or visit Athens or preach in Rome. In fact when the nations started coming to Him He knew It was all over for Him.
Why? He knew It was not His assignment to “go into all the world” but instead, it was His disciples’ assignment. In fact, Jesus plan to impact the world required He NEVER leave Israel.
Don't ever fall for the lie that says your contribution to the kingdom is measured by the size of your audience. Jesus is an unusual world conqueror in this regard. He focused on the target and the target was never more than a few days journey by foot. When pressured to go outside the mission He would say: “I was sent to none but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
His ministry to a small nation and a despised people group (Jews under Roman occupation) seemed anything but significant when compared to the military exploits of Alexander the Great, Hannibal or Caesar. But their empires are dust while His continues to expand, indeed, “Of the increase of his government there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Measure success by finishing your race not by the size of your audience watching you run.