The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 3:27-30,
"A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.' 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. He must become greater; I must become less."
This is how John the baptist responded when his disciples pointed out that Jesus had begun baptizing and that everyone was now going to him. John's point was simply that he had a role given him from heaven. That role was to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah by calling them to repentance from their sinful lifestyle. That repentance was both signified and celebrated by baptism. By this they would have prepared hearts to embrace Jesus Christ.
Now that the Messiah had come, John's role was ending, "He must become greater; I must become less." You sometimes hear people quote this verse in remembrance to submit or yield themselves to their Lord. I myself feel this kind of misses the point. There was nothing in John that required him to gain submission in his life to the Lord - he came into the world filled with the Holy Spirit and tasked with his mission. He was born a "submitted" believer. It was his role that was becoming less.
In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Now that provided John quite a bit of ground of which he could become less on. I don't think I hold much in the way of high ground to become less in.
"A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.' 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. He must become greater; I must become less."
This is how John the baptist responded when his disciples pointed out that Jesus had begun baptizing and that everyone was now going to him. John's point was simply that he had a role given him from heaven. That role was to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah by calling them to repentance from their sinful lifestyle. That repentance was both signified and celebrated by baptism. By this they would have prepared hearts to embrace Jesus Christ.
Now that the Messiah had come, John's role was ending, "He must become greater; I must become less." You sometimes hear people quote this verse in remembrance to submit or yield themselves to their Lord. I myself feel this kind of misses the point. There was nothing in John that required him to gain submission in his life to the Lord - he came into the world filled with the Holy Spirit and tasked with his mission. He was born a "submitted" believer. It was his role that was becoming less.
In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Now that provided John quite a bit of ground of which he could become less on. I don't think I hold much in the way of high ground to become less in.
John displayed true humility. I'm not always certain those who quote him share in that same humility sometimes.
Just a thought this morning...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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