February 11, 2015--

John 3.22-36

²²After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. ²³John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized ²⁴—John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. ²⁵Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. ²⁶They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” ²⁷John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. ³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease.”

³¹The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³²He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. ³³Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. ³⁴He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. ³⁵The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. ³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.

I can imagine the scene, some of John’s followers approaching and tattling, “That guy you were with, Jesus, is baptizing people, and everyone is going to him, not you!”  I wonder what John’s voice sounded like when he replied.  What do you think?  

How would you have felt if you were one of John’s disciples?  

What do we learn about Jesus from John in verses 31-36?

John says no one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.  What have you been given and how have you used it?  

In baptism we hear, “Let your light shine before others that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Our actions are called to point to God, not to put the spotlight on ourselves.  My call to serve as a pastor is not about me, but about letting people know and experience the love of Christ.  I get nervous when I hear that people join a congregation because of a pastor.  I sort of get it, but at the same time it isn’t about the pastor.  It is so much more than that.  It is about how a community serves and praises God.  How will a community hold me accountable to my faith and living out my faith?  Will I be challenged?  If it is just the music and pastor…..? 

As you pray, thank God for what God has sent you from heaven.  Ask God how to use those gifts.  Consider how you might let your light shine to focus on God in heaven.