John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 3, Day 4

Prayer

Pause for a moment of quiet and calm. To be fully present in both body and mind, inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Repeat this three times. Ask God to grant you His wisdom today.

Bible Reading: John 3:22-30

Read these verses three times slowly.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 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.”

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

Reflection & Questions

As Jesus’ ministry is growing, it’s no surprise that it comes to the attention of John the Baptist’s disciples. They had been following him diligently and in today’s verses, they are getting a little jealous of what Jesus is doing. You can’t help but chuckle as they complain to John, “Everyone is going to him.” John’s response is an incredible reflection of his character and wisdom.

Firstly, he says that his ministry is a gift of God and he cannot claim ownership of it, nor be jealous of what God has given others. The same is true today. We all have different levels of impact, and seasons of impact. We should not be jealous of others, but be thankful for what God has given us and rejoice when others succeed.

Secondly, he knows who he is and who Jesus is. John reminds his friends, “I am not the Messiah… The bride belongs to the bridegroom.” In other words, all the true disciples belong to Jesus. John says that he is just a placeholder for the bridegroom, a friend of the bridegroom for sure, but the friend does not replace the bridegroom. As we reach our ONEs, as we serve in ministry, we need to remember that we are serving Jesus’ people! They don’t belong to us.

John sums his response up with the inspired and profound statement, “He must become greater; I must become less.” If there was any principle for servants of God to adopt, it is this. We have to become less and Him more. We need to swallow our pride, release our sense of ownership, and live for His glory. We need to put aside our insecurities and fears which so often dominate our perspective and let him work through us. We need to stop figuring out how we can “fix things” and setting our personal agendas and see where He is at work and join Him in His mission. He must become greater. We must become less.

1. What word or phrase sticks out to you from these verses? Why?
2. Ask God to show you where He needs to become more in your life and where you need to become less. Pay attention for His response.

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?