Job Done
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for Your gift of Jesus, and the privilege of knowing and following him each day.
Read John 3:22-36
[22] After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. [23] Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. [24] (This was before John was put in prison.) [25] An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. [26] They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” [27] To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. [28] You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ [29] The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. [30] He must become greater; I must become less.” [31] The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. [32] He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. [33] Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. [34] For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. [35] The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what ways does John contrast himself to Jesus?We might be tempted to feel sorry for John the Baptist. He has gathered the crowds, and now they have started to flock to this new prophet (26; 4:1). Things get even worse when John is thrown into prison (Matt. 11:2). But John wouldn’t want our sympathy. He is content to be remembered (or forgotten!) as a voice, a signpost, the bridegroom’s best man (1:23; 1:36; 3:29). As the crowds turn to Jesus, John could have been tempted to start a new movement, build a new career. Instead, he seems to thrive on abandonment since he knows he has done what he was called to do (30). Our task, like John’s, is to point to Jesus. He alone can bring people to God; he is the one who gives eternal life to all who believe in him. Our job is to introduce people to him, and then back off! Are we at ease enough with ourselves to accept that? Sometimes we are tempted in our discipleship to follow fashion, build empires, look for success, cultivate celebrity and followers. When the temptation comes, remember John the Baptist!
Apply
Will you resolve today to accept with joy the role God has assigned to you? Read v. 27 again.
Closing prayer
Lord, by Your grace, I want to serve You however You wish, and to ask or do nothing more.
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