John 3:22-36
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 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.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31 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. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 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 3:22-36
The ways of the Lord are so different than the ways of men. John’s humility and acceptance of whom he had been made to be serve as a great example for you and I. Consider this, had John been self serving the detraction from his own ministry and the growing attraction to Christ’s ministry would not have been accepted by him so graciously. After seeing the increase of Christ’s following John’s response models for the Christ follower a properly directed and humble heart. “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The older I get and longer I spend time with God in His Word the more John the Baptist’s heart and attitude resonate with me. The enemy has a way of getting into my thoughts if I am not spending time with the Lord. The enemy will allow the desires of my own heart to tell me that I am better than this or that. The enemy will tempt my pride and resultant actions into the offensive if my little kingdom is not whatever I perceive it should be on any given day. John provides both perspective and focus for the follower of Christ’s path and perspective in life.
John was born for a purpose. In the grand plan of God he was born as the last forerunner of Christ. His ministry was ordained by God as the means in which to pave the way for Christ and John does this. We need to know though that John’s reputation and popularity grew immensely. Therefore when Jesus begins public ministry focus shifts from John to Jesus.
Have you ever felt like focus has shifted in your life? Perhaps in times past you were this or that. Perhaps there are now aspirations of what the time God gives you could be in days to come. I want to draw our attention to this reality. God is working a grand plan for His purposes and He will complete His purpose.
What is your purpose in the plan of God right now? Are you living today in obedience? If you can look at the circumstances of your recent past along with the prospects of the near future with a heart, mind, and attitude like John the Baptist’s this is an exciting place to be. God is showing you more of Himself and His plan and you are allowing your desires to coincide with His. On the other hand if the recent days and prospective future are sources of frustration or dread then let me encourage you with this. God is faithful to His plan and promises. John the Baptist realized this and found solace in the grand plan of God as opposed to the grand plan of John the Baptist. This is why with joy he can truly say “He must increase, but I must decrease.” How today should you admit, drop, and in humility before the Lord simply sit so that you can truly have complete joy in the Lord and His plan? Consider John’s example verses your reality and be encouraged in God’s love and ever unfolding plan.
