May 27, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Know Who You Are!

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Father God, help me to be more concerned about being biblically faithful and serving with integrity, than about matters of style.

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 &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

John the Baptist, an incredible prophet and servant of the Lord, continues to be an example of one who was truly “all in” in his witness to Jesus as the Messiah.

Much like Jesus, John the Baptist was given a “mixed review” by his contemporaries. Some would be moved by his message; some would be apathetic; some would be put off by his unusual lifestyle (3:4); and some would be enraged by his message. John was considered a wonderful servant and witness by the gospel writers, as well as by his cousin, Jesus! John was a prophet, proclaiming repentance and telling of the coming of the Kingdom of God and his Messiah (Matt.3:1-2). He showed humility when Jesus came to be baptized by him (Matt.3:13-14). And his humility was seen again when he renounced any claim to be anyone special, or the Messiah himself (28; 1:20). He referred to himself as “the friend to the bridegroom” (29): what a wonderful image! He was the one to pave the way for the love between the groom (Jesus) and his bride (the church) to be fulfilled. And his prophetic role would be fulfilled as he decreased and the role of the Messiah, Jesus, increased (30).

Often, when someone finds success, notoriety and “a following,” they become impressed with themselves. That was not the case with John the Baptist. His joy was found in lifting up Jesus, upon whom, he knew, our salvation depended. John was content to live as a servant and witness. How unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees, and how unlike the values so often found in our world!

John knew the seriousness of his calling: that those who believe would find eternal life; and those who refused to believe would suffer the wrath of God. It was an urgent message, a serious message, an awesome responsibility, and John approached it with total commitment and humility. What a lesson and example he gave us!

Apply

Do you see people who do ministry and witnessing different than you, as allies or obstacles in spreading the Gospel? What changes might you need to make?

Closing prayer

Lord, give me a heart for the lost that I, too, might be “sold out” for Jesus’ sake.

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