We will be spending each day in the month of July reading a portion of the book of John. Read the scripture text for the day and then share a comment about it in the comments section. We look forward to interacting with one another as we allow the Word of God to speak to us.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John the Baptist never made it about himself. When others assisted making John a bigger deal he was quick to point them to Jesus! We always have to remember we are the vessel, it is never about “us” it’s all because of Jesus!
30 He must increase, but I must decrease
Pushing my flesh a side and putting God FIRST in everything I do, is the only way I can apply this scripture to my life. Not my will but THY WILL BE DONE!!
30 He must increase, but I must decrease
Again we see how John was humble and understood that he was meant to start something that he would not be allowed to see come to complete fruition. He understood that Jesus was coming onto the scene and that meant that he must step down. Even in knowing this John kept doing what he was supposed to do in baptizing and telling of Jesus to those he baptized.
God may call us to be transitional and we must be ok with allowing God to work in the way He sees fit. This might mean that we lose influence or position but God’s will is more important than us receiving men’s approval.
Jesus and John the Baptist were both sent to fulfill a purpose.
John repeatedly verified who he was to his disciples and he also told them who Jesus was. ( He was not claiming to be the Christ, but he knew who the Christ really was, The Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.
John said” He must increase, but I must decrease” Salvation only comes from Jesus Christ.
When we talk on baptism we generally go to Acts 2:38 as the beginning of it for the remission of sins, yet we see Christ and His disciples already baptizing early in Jesus’s ministry. ( vv 22,26)The Messiah himself authorizing baptism in his name, could of made the disciples of John feel their work was superfluous. Not remembering why John was sent first to prepare the way for the Lord. Matthew 3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.”
I must humble myself and lean towards God in doing so that is a way I can be a witness to the king!
I found it to be beautiful of how John describes his relationship with Jesus. He gave the example of how a best man stands behind the groom on his wedding day and is simply glad to be there with him. No, it was not Jesus’s wedding day, but John was describing himself as a best man to Jesus while being filled with joy at all of his successes, even while the people were going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John understood what the Jews following him didn’t, it was never about what we can do but who we are doing it for.
John understood who Jesus was and was humble and obedient to his role in Gods plan. May I be found humble and obedient to what God has required of me to do in His kingdom