1/22/14- He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23Now 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.) 25An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They 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.”

27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29The 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. 30He must become greater; I must become less.”

Thoughts: John and Jesus were close by.  Some of John's disciples were trying to get him to be envious of Jesus.  Religious or church envy can be a deadly thing to the soul.  When churches are envious of other churches- or try to steal each others' members- the Lord is not glorified, and in the end the Church is not better off either.  This was a time when Jesus' church was growing faster than John the Baptist's church.  But it is important to remember that John was not in a building, or wearing fine clothes and having the finest things of life.  He was in the wilderness with a camel's hair coat eating locusts and honey (Mark 1:6).  John was embodying humility.  Pride and envy would have killed his humility and extinguished the very heart of his ministry.  It is hard if not impossible to encourage people to humble themselves in repentance and washing away of sin if one is living a life of pride and boastfulness. John's washing was not simply ceremonial washing (as one disciple brought out), but a baptism symbolizing washing and commitment.  John was not just giving people a bath, or giving out symbolic washing before a meal or a special event.  Baptism was a symbol of a change of heart.
    John's great words are not simply words for the Baptist alone.  They are practical words for every follower of Christ: "He must increase and I must decrease."  We do not have faith or life in order to have our own reputation honored.  We are here to glorify and enjoy God.  Despite being urged to blow his own horn, John showed amazing integrity, humility and godliness.  We could all learn from him. 

Prayer: Lord, may your glory increase, and may my glory decrease.  Take what talents, abilities, and gifts I have and honor yourself with them.   

(Nicolas Poussin 1635 John baptizing)

1/17/14- Born again John 3:1-4

1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

4“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Thoughts: Nicodemus was a religious leader who was open to religious truth.  No doubt Nicodemus had much training and was much connected among the religious elite as a member of the Sanhedrin.  As such, Nicodemus had every reason to keep the status quo.  Perhaps Nicodemus thought that we may grow in our faith as we grow in our knowledge and keeping of the Law.  But Jesus had a different idea- a transformation that is as radical as going from the warm safe womb to the cold unfamiliar air.
     Nicodemus began his conversation at night.  Perhaps he was nervous about coming to Christ when people would see him.  Later Nicodemus would boldly claim the dead body of Christ, though it meant some political pain.  Nicodemus began the conversation with a compliment and an openness to listening.
       But Jesus abruptly changed the tone.  He was not about to play games here.  It was important for Jesus that Nicodemus know that belief in Him was not full of compliments, but it meant a change- a transformation, being born-again.  True belief in Christ affects all that we are- belief, behavior, speech, and even thought.  It is like becoming a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
       Nicodemus, like most legalistic minds, took this saying too literally to understand its truth.  Jesus was not talking about physical birth- but spiritual birth. 

Prayer: Lord, change me.  Make me new.  Let me believe that you are able to change me for better.