Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
John 3:22-24 "After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside. He spent some time there with them and began baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People kept coming and were being baptized, since John had not yet been thrown into prison."
After His interview with Nicodemus, Jesus took His disciples and went out into the Judean countryside to preach the good news. John was also preaching, at Aenon. Most modern maps try to place this, but all indicate that they aren't sure exactly where it was. The only consensus seems to be that it was NOT in Judea. So, John and Jesus were not together when they taught.
John 3:25-26 "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.'"
At first glance it seems odd that John never tells us exactly what the dispute was and how or why it so affected the Baptizer's disciples. Upon consideration, however, one wonders if it isn't very clear. They argued about purification, or washing, and then complained to John that everyone was going after Jesus' baptism -- instead of John's. The argument seems to have been about the relative worth of each baptism. John's disciples were left shaken and upset; outraged for John and confused in themselves. Everyone was following Jesus and John was being forgotten.
John 3:27-30 "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.”
John's response is a marvel of humility and faith in God. In saying that we can't receive anything unless it is given from heaven, John is calming his disciples by reminding them that this is all according to God's plan. He reminds them that he has said all along that someone greater was coming and now there is someone greater here. This is not a cause for alarm, but rejoicing which leads to his next statement. In this micro-parable John paints a familiar scene: a wedding. None of the groomsmen are jealous of the bride, instead they are just happy for the groom. John was not the leading man in the drama of his life. After his short role was over he wasn't even able to share the spotlight, but John was happy to play his role for the glory of another. "He must increase, but I must decrease." Surely this is self-sacrificing service.
God's plan for us is not guaranteed to bring us fame and recognition here on earth. Maybe the best way for us to serve is by helping to care for the ill and needy: making phone calls, sending cards, preparing meals, doing chores for those who can't for themselves and just sitting and talking to those whose illnesses have left them shut in, alternately weeping or rejoicing with them. None of this is as showy as preaching or leading the singing, but it is often more important and impactful in making our churches into familes.
Matt. 11:11 "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist."
Elijah and Elisha raised the dead, preached to kings, commanded the weather, and stopped armies cold. Daniel saw visions of centuries of future history and the coming kingdom. Isaiah saw God on His throne and His Messiah coming. Great as all these men were, as showy as their service was, none were greater than John, who in his humble service proclaimed the Lord's message and then quietly stepped out of the spotlight.
Am I willing to submerge my life -- my plans, dreams, hopes -- into quiet, unnoticed service to God? Are you?
John 3:31 "He who comes from above is above all."
Lucas Ward
John 3:22-24 "After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside. He spent some time there with them and began baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People kept coming and were being baptized, since John had not yet been thrown into prison."
After His interview with Nicodemus, Jesus took His disciples and went out into the Judean countryside to preach the good news. John was also preaching, at Aenon. Most modern maps try to place this, but all indicate that they aren't sure exactly where it was. The only consensus seems to be that it was NOT in Judea. So, John and Jesus were not together when they taught.
John 3:25-26 "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.'"
At first glance it seems odd that John never tells us exactly what the dispute was and how or why it so affected the Baptizer's disciples. Upon consideration, however, one wonders if it isn't very clear. They argued about purification, or washing, and then complained to John that everyone was going after Jesus' baptism -- instead of John's. The argument seems to have been about the relative worth of each baptism. John's disciples were left shaken and upset; outraged for John and confused in themselves. Everyone was following Jesus and John was being forgotten.
John 3:27-30 "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.”
John's response is a marvel of humility and faith in God. In saying that we can't receive anything unless it is given from heaven, John is calming his disciples by reminding them that this is all according to God's plan. He reminds them that he has said all along that someone greater was coming and now there is someone greater here. This is not a cause for alarm, but rejoicing which leads to his next statement. In this micro-parable John paints a familiar scene: a wedding. None of the groomsmen are jealous of the bride, instead they are just happy for the groom. John was not the leading man in the drama of his life. After his short role was over he wasn't even able to share the spotlight, but John was happy to play his role for the glory of another. "He must increase, but I must decrease." Surely this is self-sacrificing service.
God's plan for us is not guaranteed to bring us fame and recognition here on earth. Maybe the best way for us to serve is by helping to care for the ill and needy: making phone calls, sending cards, preparing meals, doing chores for those who can't for themselves and just sitting and talking to those whose illnesses have left them shut in, alternately weeping or rejoicing with them. None of this is as showy as preaching or leading the singing, but it is often more important and impactful in making our churches into familes.
Matt. 11:11 "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist."
Elijah and Elisha raised the dead, preached to kings, commanded the weather, and stopped armies cold. Daniel saw visions of centuries of future history and the coming kingdom. Isaiah saw God on His throne and His Messiah coming. Great as all these men were, as showy as their service was, none were greater than John, who in his humble service proclaimed the Lord's message and then quietly stepped out of the spotlight.
Am I willing to submerge my life -- my plans, dreams, hopes -- into quiet, unnoticed service to God? Are you?
John 3:31 "He who comes from above is above all."
Lucas Ward
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