John 3:22-30

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.”[h]

Contemplation:

A relationship with Jesus begins with one simple acknowledgement, "He must become greater and I must become less".  When we come to Jesus, we come as we are, laying aside the things that once kept us from him.  John the Baptist had no time for petty jealousies and arguments about who is more popular.  He already recognized a deeper truth, that it was God's work, not his own being done on the banks of the Jordan River.  When we become a part of God's family, there is one head of the family.  That place belongs to God alone.  We accept this as the starting point, and leave behind our egos in exchange for God's perfect love .  The ministry of Jesus finds a conduit in those who faithfully accept that their job is to be a channel of God's grace to those around us.  But it is still God himself who does the miraculous work of transforming the world.  We trust that very same grace to also transform our own lives as it passes through us on its way to others.

Question:

Where can God's ministry increase through my life by my willingness to decrease?

Prayer:

Father, too often in my life I have sought the credit and craved the attention of others.  From the time I was a child I have been drawn to the admiration of those around me.  Teach me to find a deeper contentment in your approval that your will might be done through my life unfettered by my ego driven needs.  Let me know your unconditional love that I might love those around me as you have loved me.