He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:22-36
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
"After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness -- look he is baptizing, and all are going to him.' John answered, 'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.' He who comes from above is above all, He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
John the Baptist had a pretty big ministry going! It was big enough to get noticed by the Jewish leaders (who sent priests and Levites to check it out, John 1:19).
John could have taken this moment for himself, accepted the Glory and Honor of the moment, but we see in John 1:19-34 that he points to Jesus and says, I am just the guy pointing you in the right direction, the Christ is coming! And the next day, who shows up on the scene? None other than Jesus himself! And again John points everyone to Jesus, and slips into the crowed, eyes fixed on Jesus!
Above a few of John's disciples don't understand why John is doing nothing while Jesus ministry is growing and his is getting smaller. Just look at John's response!!!
'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.'
1. I love the part about the bridegroom! I have never been in that position and can completely relate to what John is saying! I have many friends who are currently married or are engaged! And I rejoice greatly for them!!
2. But, The last part there, that is the best part!
"Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
What joy? John has fulfilled his calling! Completed his mission! Run his race through to completion! John has done the job that God put him on the earth to do, and he takes joy in the completion of his work as well as knowing that it was never his place to shine! He was merely reflecting the Glory from above and pointing back to it! Now that the Glory from above had come to earth (Jesus), he knew that he must continue to point to that Glory! Jesus must increase and John must decrease!
I have read this passage many times, but last night it seems to lift right off the page. God seemed to be saying to me, "Dave, this is my story. I AM the star. Why do you sometimes try to upstage me?"
I realized for the umteenth billion time that I am not, but I know I AM.
I am not the bridegroom, but I know Him!
I am not the star, but I know Him!
I am not, but I know I AM!
Jesus, You are the star, this is Your story! I am sorry for ever trying to upstage you. Help me be content with a supporting role, help me be content to even be an extra! If you want me to be a leader of the Church while I am here on earth, help me to always put you first! If you want me to be a layperson, help me to always put you first! If you want me to be a working in the professional field of whatever, help me to always put you first! Help me to be content with 4th place. Amen.
In Christ,
Dave
I didn't explain 4th place....it pertains to missions -- which should be our entire lives!
1st place...Jesus!
2nd place...The people of the world. The people placed in our sphere of influence.
3rd place...The people on our team. Our missions team, our Christian brothers and sisters, they need our support also.
4th place...Ourselves.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
"After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness -- look he is baptizing, and all are going to him.' John answered, 'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.' He who comes from above is above all, He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
John the Baptist had a pretty big ministry going! It was big enough to get noticed by the Jewish leaders (who sent priests and Levites to check it out, John 1:19).
John could have taken this moment for himself, accepted the Glory and Honor of the moment, but we see in John 1:19-34 that he points to Jesus and says, I am just the guy pointing you in the right direction, the Christ is coming! And the next day, who shows up on the scene? None other than Jesus himself! And again John points everyone to Jesus, and slips into the crowed, eyes fixed on Jesus!
Above a few of John's disciples don't understand why John is doing nothing while Jesus ministry is growing and his is getting smaller. Just look at John's response!!!
'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.'
1. I love the part about the bridegroom! I have never been in that position and can completely relate to what John is saying! I have many friends who are currently married or are engaged! And I rejoice greatly for them!!
2. But, The last part there, that is the best part!
"Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
What joy? John has fulfilled his calling! Completed his mission! Run his race through to completion! John has done the job that God put him on the earth to do, and he takes joy in the completion of his work as well as knowing that it was never his place to shine! He was merely reflecting the Glory from above and pointing back to it! Now that the Glory from above had come to earth (Jesus), he knew that he must continue to point to that Glory! Jesus must increase and John must decrease!
I have read this passage many times, but last night it seems to lift right off the page. God seemed to be saying to me, "Dave, this is my story. I AM the star. Why do you sometimes try to upstage me?"
I realized for the umteenth billion time that I am not, but I know I AM.
I am not the bridegroom, but I know Him!
I am not the star, but I know Him!
I am not, but I know I AM!
Jesus, You are the star, this is Your story! I am sorry for ever trying to upstage you. Help me be content with a supporting role, help me be content to even be an extra! If you want me to be a leader of the Church while I am here on earth, help me to always put you first! If you want me to be a layperson, help me to always put you first! If you want me to be a working in the professional field of whatever, help me to always put you first! Help me to be content with 4th place. Amen.
In Christ,
Dave
I didn't explain 4th place....it pertains to missions -- which should be our entire lives!
1st place...Jesus!
2nd place...The people of the world. The people placed in our sphere of influence.
3rd place...The people on our team. Our missions team, our Christian brothers and sisters, they need our support also.
4th place...Ourselves.
posted by Mark 1:17 at 11:48 PM
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