LOVE THE LIGHT IN YOU
Opening Prayer
Father, coming to your Word today, I ask that you speak to me through it; build my faith and show me more of what I need to serve you.
Read JOHN 3:22–36
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
John Testifies Again About Jesus
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.”[a]
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[b] 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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Spend a few moments meditating on the words of Philippians 2:5–8.History recounts many incidents of political and religious leaders going to great lengths, often illegal or unwarranted, to retain positions of power and leadership past their tenure. In contrast, John the Baptist demonstrates a refreshingly different relationship to power in these verses.
Confronted by his disciples, who were jealous of the growing Jesus movement and concerned for the implied decline in the popularity of their own movement (v. 26), John responds with an expression of delight that Jesus is in the ascendancy (vv. 29, 30). Whereas his disciples view the growing popularity of Jesus as a loss to lament, John himself sees it as a joy to behold. Even though he has tasted a degree of power and popularity himself, John recognizes that Israel—the bride—belongs not to him, but to Jesus—the Messiah (vv. 28, 29). John knows not only who Jesus is (vv. 31–36), but also who he is in relation to Jesus (vv. 27, 28). It is in this knowledge that John’s remarkable humility is rooted, which in turn gives rise to his complete contentment with doing no more than God’s will—even when that requires his fading from prominence (v. 30).
Apply
Consider whether there is any situation in which God’s unfolding new creation requires you to become less. Take action accordingly.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, my desire is to bring you praise always, in all that I say and do. If there is any place where my actions stand in the way of seeing you glorified, please show me and convict me; help me to put you first, always. Give me vision for your using me, whatever my title—or lack of it.
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