Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Discipleship: Call to Witness
John 3:22-30
v30 - He must increase, but I must decrease
John 3:22-30
v30 - He must increase, but I must decrease
John The Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. The last link to the prophets. The calmness and depth of his personality distinguished him from the others. He was the prophetic testimony of the size of humility. There is no complaining that a person who has a keen sense of his own self and a generous mind to consider the other is ignored. The grandeur of the words used to convey to his companions and to those who come after him, to determine his greatness. Thus John the Baptist has set before us a lofty example of discipleship through his life.
- To fulfill assignments with justice
- To perform duties without blemishes
- To live in the light of the Call of God
- To bring everyone to Christ
- To become a guide to the quest of God
Only those who have such attitudes can give the highest impression of discipleship to the world. He was man of humility. The humility stems from knowing who God is. The clearer our vision of His majesty and greatness and power and glory, the more we will be humbled in His presence. Humility stems from understanding who God is and who we are. John the Baptist clearly understood God’s sovereignty, who Jesus is, and who he (John) was. Thus he didn’t have inflated views of himself. He wasn’t out to build his self-esteem or to promote his own ministry or reputation. His aim was to exalt Jesus. He found great joy in his role of handing off the bride to the bridegroom.
Humility is maintained by having a proper definition of success in ministry. (1). Success in ministry does not necessarily mean having the largest following. John’s disciples were concerned because the numbers in his following were going down, while the numbers following Jesus were going up. But when they talk to John about their concerns, he explains that their cause for concern was his cause for great joy. John wasn’t trying to build a following for John, but rather a following for Jesus. Our responsibility is to be faithful with what the Lord has given us to do.
(2) Success in ministry is to exalt Christ and bring others to do the same. John’s aim and his joy was to bring the bride to the bridegroom. He was the austere prophet who thundered (Matt. 3:7), “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” He was angry when the religious hypocrites did not follow Jesus. But he was full of joy when he heard the bridegroom’s voice and could bring the bride to Him. If people followed after Jesus, John’s purpose had been fulfilled. His joy was full. The following is what John the Baptist’s life calls us to be a better disciple
I. Acknowledge Your Gifts are from God. John the Baptist, being a great servant, realized that the following he gained was because God had given it. The success he saw as an evangelist was “given him from heaven.” He wasn’t personally threatened, because it wasn’t his ministry in the first place.
When you understand that your gifts and abilities are from God, you realize that they’re not your gifts given for your fulfillment, but God’s gifts given for you to use for Him. It keeps you from becoming proud of yourself, because you realize that anything you’re able to do, any good that comes from your effort, is really God’s doing.
2. See yourself as an Intimate Friend of the Groom - the Best Man (John 3:28-29). You yourselves can testify that I said, ’I am not the Christ 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.
3. Find Your Joy from the Groom’s Joy (v.29). John said, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” - to hear that my mission is accomplished, that people are flocking to Jesus now instead of to me, now my joy is fulfilled! That’s great servanthood.
4. You Are Willing to Become Less for Jesus!
If Jesus had called people to be kings and celebrities and national heroes, He probably would have had a larger following. Who isn’t interested in being popular and well-liked? “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s important to remember that being a faithful servant of the Lord does not guarantee a trouble-free life. John the Baptist was the faithful, God-appointed forerunner of Messiah, but he got thrown into prison and had his head cut off in his early thirties. We aren’t guaranteed long lives or impressive results in our ministries. The Lord could take me out of the picture today and His work would go right on according to His plan. He owes us nothing. It is our great joy if He uses us in some way to exalt Christ and to bring others to exalt Him, too. Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil. Make John the Baptist’s motto yours: “Jesus must increase, but I must decrease.
Humility is maintained by having a proper definition of success in ministry. (1). Success in ministry does not necessarily mean having the largest following. John’s disciples were concerned because the numbers in his following were going down, while the numbers following Jesus were going up. But when they talk to John about their concerns, he explains that their cause for concern was his cause for great joy. John wasn’t trying to build a following for John, but rather a following for Jesus. Our responsibility is to be faithful with what the Lord has given us to do.
(2) Success in ministry is to exalt Christ and bring others to do the same. John’s aim and his joy was to bring the bride to the bridegroom. He was the austere prophet who thundered (Matt. 3:7), “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” He was angry when the religious hypocrites did not follow Jesus. But he was full of joy when he heard the bridegroom’s voice and could bring the bride to Him. If people followed after Jesus, John’s purpose had been fulfilled. His joy was full. The following is what John the Baptist’s life calls us to be a better disciple
I. Acknowledge Your Gifts are from God. John the Baptist, being a great servant, realized that the following he gained was because God had given it. The success he saw as an evangelist was “given him from heaven.” He wasn’t personally threatened, because it wasn’t his ministry in the first place.
When you understand that your gifts and abilities are from God, you realize that they’re not your gifts given for your fulfillment, but God’s gifts given for you to use for Him. It keeps you from becoming proud of yourself, because you realize that anything you’re able to do, any good that comes from your effort, is really God’s doing.
2. See yourself as an Intimate Friend of the Groom - the Best Man (John 3:28-29). You yourselves can testify that I said, ’I am not the Christ 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.
3. Find Your Joy from the Groom’s Joy (v.29). John said, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” - to hear that my mission is accomplished, that people are flocking to Jesus now instead of to me, now my joy is fulfilled! That’s great servanthood.
4. You Are Willing to Become Less for Jesus!
If Jesus had called people to be kings and celebrities and national heroes, He probably would have had a larger following. Who isn’t interested in being popular and well-liked? “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s important to remember that being a faithful servant of the Lord does not guarantee a trouble-free life. John the Baptist was the faithful, God-appointed forerunner of Messiah, but he got thrown into prison and had his head cut off in his early thirties. We aren’t guaranteed long lives or impressive results in our ministries. The Lord could take me out of the picture today and His work would go right on according to His plan. He owes us nothing. It is our great joy if He uses us in some way to exalt Christ and to bring others to exalt Him, too. Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil. Make John the Baptist’s motto yours: “Jesus must increase, but I must decrease.
PRAYER
God, help us to be faithful in your ministry of humility and Christ consciousness, Amen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. “Ernest Hemingway.
Rev. Thomas K. Thomas, New Jersey St. Stephens MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
God, help us to be faithful in your ministry of humility and Christ consciousness, Amen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. “Ernest Hemingway.
Rev. Thomas K. Thomas, New Jersey St. Stephens MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church