Know Your Place

 

 

 

He got into a conversation

That was between two adults

Straight way he was rebuked

And in his place, he was put.

 

“Know your place,” said one,

“This is none of your business.”

“You are a child,” said the other,

“You have no say in this.”

 

I can well recall

Having been told that too

And I have not the slightest doubt

That so have you.

 

John 3:23-31

 

There is passage of Scripture

Found in the Gospel of John

Involving John’ disciples

Relative to what was going on.

 

When it was reported to John

That Jesus was baptizing

John gave them a rebuke

As well as a warning.

 

He reminding them succinctly

Of his place and theirs,

In essence “Know your place,”

Is what we would say.

 

John’s disciples had the idea

That only John should baptize

And since they were John’s disciples

They had the right to criticize.

 

But the Baptist knew his place

And that of his disciples,

“I must decrease,” he told them,

It’s the know-your-place angle.

 

There are many leaders today

That need similar advice,

Not in the way our parents did it

John’s way should suffice.

 

 

They become men like trees

And block their parishioners’ view,

And they can’t see Jesus

Like some others do.

 

“Know your place,” applies here

If you see what I mean,

Move out of the way

Let me see what’s to be seen.

 

I would see Jesus

That’s who I came to see,

Just like Zaccheus of old

When he climbed that tree.

 

Let’s all remember our place

And not vaunt ourselves,

Let us give God all the glory

And promote spiritual health.

 

 

Know your place

Is not meant to be a put down

But put in right perspective

As we move along.

 

Stewart Russell © June 2020