The Voice …

Success breeds copy cats.

The overwhelming success of the show “American Idol” is one example. Dominate TV ratings for this show has spawned multiple new shows aimed at discovering the great undiscovered singing talent in America. “The Voice” is just one of these “Idol” competitors, but with a twist.

Like the other shows, “The Voice” features four vocal stars who serve as judges for the competition. But what is unique about the show is the judges must decide whether they would like to mentor a singer to potential stardom without seeing them … they must make their selection only by hearing the voice of the singer.

The judges sit in high-backed chairs with the backs of the chairs turned toward the stage where the singer is performing. If, based on the voice alone, a judge likes what he or she hears, they turn their chairs around to view the performer. The idea is that the competition is all about the voice, not how the person looks or their physical performance.

Our growth in Christ is all about a Voice as well, a lesson given to us through John the Baptist.

John’s job was to be “the voice” declaring the coming of the Messiah:

“1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, ‘He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!”‘” Matthew 3:1-3.

It’s probably a good thing John’s job was focused on being a voice, rather than including things like fashion and social etiquette of the day …

“John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey,” Matthew 3:4.

It didn’t matter how John dressed, it was what he said that made a difference, and it was making a very big difference with many …

“5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River,” Matthew 3:5-6.

Shortly thereafter, Jesus arrived on the scene. John the Baptist knew that whatever he had to say paled in comparison to the message Jesus came to deliver. He summed it up this way:

“26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.’ 27 John replied, ‘No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, “I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.” 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less,” John 3:26-30.

God has given us a job similar to John’s, one of being a voice for Christ. Our role is to be a voice that draws people to Jesus. Then our voice is to decrease as Christ’s voice increases. Jesus described this in a very simple sentence:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” John 10:27.

Are you a voice for Christ? Does your voice result in the increase of Christ in the lives of others? Are you tuned in to the voice of Christ?

Scotty