Important Nobodies

In addition to the well-known heroes, there are some very important nobodies in the Bible. That is, there are a few people in the background, seemingly insignificant, that the church owes a great deal to. People like John Mark, the travelling companion of the apostle Peter, who penned the earliest-written gospel. Both Matthew and Luke likely referenced his book when writing their own accounts of Jesus’ life. The Gospel of Mark is essentially Peter's story, as it includes details that often paint him in an unflattering light, such as blurting out that they should pitch tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah during the transfiguration (Mk 9:5); being rebuked and called “Satan” by Jesus (8:33); falling asleep in Gethsemane (“Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?” 14:37); and publicly denying Jesus three times (14:66-72). You can imagine Mark listening to Peter preach these stories countless times, relating his many mistakes. And yet Mark himself appears very infrequently in the Bible – just a few brief mentions in Acts (see Acts 12:12; 12:25; 13:5; 15:37-39). He might seem like a nobody, but his role behind the scenes cannot be overstated, and he was content to serve, content to “bare all” for the Gospel. Indeed, was he the naked young fugitive who ran from Gethsemane?

A young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. (Mk 14:51-52, ESV)

Whether or not this subtly refers to himself, Mark was content to defer the limelight for the glory of God. 

THE FAITHFUL SCRIBE

Similarly, we meet a man in the Old Testament who penned the longest book of the Bible (by word count). Baruch was one of the prophet Jeremiah's only friends, carefully recording the prophet's words in the book that bears his name. Christopher Wright said this of him:

We know very little about [Baruch]. He occurs in the narrative only four times. And yet it is very possible, if not highly likely, that we owe the book of Jeremiah that we now have in our Bibles substantially to this faithful servant of God's prophet. (1)

From what we can deduce from Scripture, Baruch's family had connections to the government of Judah and therefore likely had access to the inner workings of the royal palace and the priesthood. He was educated and worked as a professional scribe. However, despite his privileged position, Baruch chose to devote himself to an unpopular prophet who kept preaching doomsday's pending arrival, which eventually arrived in 587 BC at the hands of the Babylonians. Through it all, Baruch meticulously compiled Jeremiah’s words in multiple volumes. Most of Jeremiah’s preaching was directed toward various nations in and around Palestine. Only twice does he have a special message for a particular person, one of which was Baruch. 

The words to Baruch arrived shortly after the Babylonians had finally conquered Israel – Jerusalem lay in ruins, countless citizens slain, and the smell of smoke and rotting flesh were everywhere. It was a bleak time, but God had a special message for him. Here’s the entire chapter, just five verses long:

The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up – that is, the whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.” (Jer 45, ESV)

For his faithful service to Jeremiah, and by proxy to God, Baruch had undoubtedly been oppressed and ostracized. He had witnessed firsthand the people of Judah ignore Jeremiah’s warnings of the coming destruction, refusing to repent, which broke God’s very heart. Thus, it’s not unreasonable to seek a little special consideration for his loyalty (“Do you seek great things for yourself?”). Perhaps this “important nobody” wanted to be somebody. However, pursuing personal gain or glory in the midst of the destruction the Babylonians left behind, when so many of his countrymen lay dead or carried off into captivity, was not only inappropriate, it was futile. Christopher Wright again:

To have personal career ambitions in Jerusalem right then was like applying for promotion to chief steward on board the Titanic. Nice work if you can get it, but somewhat lacking in long-term prospects. (2)

God explained to his faithful scribe – however briefly – that for all Baruch’s pain, God’s was far worse. What the Lord had lovingly planted – namely the nation of Israel in its promised land – he was now uprooting. Also, the repercussions of Judah’s punishment would have worldwide effects, way beyond Baruch’s limited perspective. The destruction, exile, and final restoration of Judah were part of the global mission of God. Whether by judgment and destruction, or by salvation and restoration, Baruch’s life in turmoil was a tiny part of it. And yet, Baruch’s distress was a tiny taste of God’s distress at the destruction of his own people, a God who takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” (Ez 33:11, ESV) particularly his own chosen people.

Nonetheless, God promised life to Baruch. In the midst of violent destruction, and all the bloody gore he had witnessed in the streets, Baruch was able to escape with his life. And after all the predictions of death and destruction in virtually the whole book of Jeremiah, such a guarantee was no small thing.

Although Baruch (and those he represents) will not receive the “great things” that he so much desires, he will at least survive. And the promise of survival, during times of massive loss, is nothing to scoff at!

Baruch, the little known supporter of the most verbose prophet in the Bible, wanted to be recognized, but God's role for him didn't involve worldly fame or fortune. He was simply granted his own life, a vast improvement compared to the fate of many of his countrymen. Nonetheless, his impact endures to this day.  

SECOND FIDDLE

Sometimes God needs a trailblazer. A vision is given and the tools to see it through are on the way. However, more often, the ball is already rolling. It’s up to us to recognize the work of the Spirit and get on board, supporting the movement with our own unique talents and resources. The willingness to be a nobody in God’s kingdom ensures we are actually vitally important in his ultimate plan. 

Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. (Mt 20:26-27, ESV) 

What was the name of Jonathan’s armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14? That young man who attended the brave prince, who accompanied him down and up cliffs, who “put some to death after him” (v. 13)? His name is lost in the sands of time. But who of us is able to be courageous alone? Don’t the greatest leaders still need those who will follow?

The most talented member of the orchestra isn’t the lead violinist. Sure, she can shred her strings with the best of them, sending heart-wrenching melodies into the heavens. Fast fingers, flawless technique, brilliant musicianship. But she isn’t the best. The most talented, dedicated, and irreplaceable member of the orchestra is the one who supports the lead violinist. It’s the second fiddle. Anyone can fly along in an epic solo, making it up as they go along, but it takes real talent to follow closely, harmonizing every note, responding to every cue. The follower must be attentive, focused, responsive, and equally as skillful to play alongside a virtuoso. 

Doesn’t the structure of marriage suggest this? God knew Man couldn’t manage the world on his own, so he created Woman as a helper. She was the crown of creation – the Lord saved the best. And it’s Woman’s strength, both independently and by empowering those around her, that keeps this world functional. Men get much of the credit for major discoveries, military victories, strong leadership, and selfless heroism – history books are predominantly filled with men’s names – but it’s often the anonymous women who supported, nourished, and loved them before, during, and after their accomplishments that deserve the real credit. This doesn’t diminish their role in society or history. In God’s kingdom, the last shall be first. Women won't lose their eternal reward despite the widespread lack of recognition for their tireless work. The second fiddles are the true virtuosos. 

SUMMARY

Sometimes living for God means leading, other times it means following. Sometimes preaching, other times meticulously transcribing others’ words. Sometimes we must scale a cliff and pick a fight with an army, other times we must carry his armor. It’s often not up to us where we fit into God’s plan. 

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. (Ps 123:2, NIV)

Selflessness helps us put aside our own interest to focus on our unique role in God's work. And, in that way, whether well-known or not, we are all important somebodies to the Lord.  

© D. B. Ryen Incorporated, September 2026.

Quotation from:

Bernstein, Leonard. "Second Fiddle". Public Domain. Accessed online. 

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Jeremiah (The Bible Speaks Today series). InterVarsity Press, 1987. Pg 408 and 414. 

Scripture quotations are Bibles as noted:

ESV – The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Crossway, 2001.

NASB – Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

NIV – The Holy Bible, New International Version. Biblica, Inc. 1973.

NKJV – The Holy Bible: The New King James Version. Thomas Nelson, 1982.

NLT – Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.