Years ago, I watched a remarkable moment unfold at a ministry conference.
The event had drawn thousands, and one young man gave a powerful testimony about how he’d come to Christ. He described the moment with emotion and detail, but never once mentioned the name of the person who led him to Jesus.
Later, during a break, I overheard someone ask him, “Who was it that prayed with you?”
He smiled and said, “Honestly, I don’t remember his name. He just pointed me to Jesus. That’s what mattered.”
That moment stuck with me.
There have been other instances when Colleen and I have been teaching. We state to our classes that our goal is to be forgettable, so that Jesus is always remembered.
So often we’re tempted to build platforms, gather credit, or put our names on something meaningful. But what if the most impactful leaders are the ones who intentionally step back—not because they aren’t involved—but because they don’t want to become the focus?
That’s what makes John 4:2 so intriguing:
“(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples)” — John 4:2 (ESV)
Why didn’t Jesus baptize? Scholars suggest several reasons:
- To avoid division among believers who might claim superiority based on “who” baptized them.
- To emphasize the spiritual reality over the ritual.
- To empower others—His disciples—to carry the mission forward.
- And to keep the spotlight where it belonged: not on the baptizer, but on the one we are baptized into—Christ.
It’s a picture of leadership that resists ego and embraces purpose.
Jesus could have claimed every moment of glory. But instead, He modeled a kind of humble authority that trains others, protects unity, and gives credit where it belongs—back to the Father.
Maybe the question for us this week is:
Where am I tempted to seek credit when Jesus is calling me to point people to Him?
Let’s be leaders and friends who care more about making an impact than about recognition. Like the unnamed baptizers in Jesus’ time—or that anonymous guy at the conference—our job is to show others the way to the One who transforms everything.
And that’s the mid-week memo. Steve
