The Supremacy of Jesus
Opening Prayer
Mighty Lord, You are the God of all things, great and small. Lead me into a resilient and vibrant faith.
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.
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.
Meditate
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” (Col. 1:16). He is supreme!
Think Further
John’s testimony about Jesus’ supremacy is described wonderfully in verses 22–30. For a while, both John and Jesus appear to have been baptizing people, until John’s arrest. John’s disciples are concerned by the growing success of Jesus’ ministry, but John is unperturbed and even rejoices. We learn from 1:35–37 that John even urges his disciples to go over to Jesus’ side. Why does he do this? How can he? John knows that he is merely the friend of the bridegroom, not the Bridegroom himself; he has to decrease while Jesus has to increase.
John knows his mission and his own position in relation to Jesus: Jesus is pre-eminent. It is a lifelong challenge for us to decrease so that Jesus can increase. Our interests, our ministry, our reputation should be subordinate to Jesus. Do we have the desire that Jesus would grow in us, at the expense of our own ambitions and dreams? Paul puts it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).
John the Baptist’s assertion of Jesus’ supremacy over him is so astounding that it leads John the Gospel author to declare Jesus’ supremacy over everything (31–36). This assertion is in keeping with his worldview that sharply distinguishes between the realities of the world “above” and the world “below.” The world does not like polarized thinking. Right or wrong, black or white are seen as extreme categories. While many life situations are not black and white, when it comes to God there are in effect only two options—accepting or rejecting Jesus—and each choice has its own consequences. John is uncompromising. Let us embrace Jesus and acknowledge that he is Lord of all.
Apply
Reflect on Jesus’ supremacy over all—including you. When your will and Jesus’ will are at odds, will you forego yours? Even Jesus knew this struggle—in Gethsemane.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, I am challenged on a daily basis to allow Jesus to increase his lordship over my life. May I see some improvement in this struggle; if not dramatic, then incremental.
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