Day 7 - March 6th 2022
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.
Think about John 3:30
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John the baptist’s had the unique position of being the one who prepared the way for the messiah. And though we don’t know everything there is to know about John the baptist, this one little line tells us quite a bit. John’s disciples came to him and complained that the crowd that had been following them was now following Jesus. What’s interesting is that John the baptist doesn’t throw a pity party or make a plan to win his crowd back. Instead, he rejoices that his ministry is decreasing and Jesus’ is increasing because he was committed to Jesus no matter the cost or outcome. That kind of faith and belief is powerful and potent.
As Jesus begun his ministry, John the baptist brought his to a close. He understood his season and his place and was committed to the mission to which he had been called.
Is your faith fearless? What might it look like for you to trust Jesus no matter the outcome? What is holding you back?