Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Sanctification of the Church

St. John 3: 22-30

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

The purpose John the Baptist set for was to come before Jesus and bring those into his kingdom. We can identify John the Baptist correcting his disciples because they saw Jesus as a competition. Through this passage, we can learn that John understood three main points.

1. John understood his reliance on Christ
John could’ve gained a lot of success through his ministry and used it for his own good, however, he knew that all he had was from God. John himself knew that he wouldn’t have a ministry if it wasn’t for God’s plan to send his son. John decides to give all credit that he had received straight to god. 

2. John understood his relationship with Christ.
The disciples of John saw Jesus as a “competitor”, however, John deflected the praise aimed towards him. John understood that it wasn’t his day, and wanted Jesus to have the day set aside for him. He acknowledged the fact that he was sent before Christ, to unite the people before him. This poses the question to ourselves, what is our relationship with Christ? Are we like John, the best man for Jesus the groom?

3. John understood his role in Christ.
John summarizes his role for Christ when he says “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John knew that he was the forerunner and his work was something that was in preparation for something bigger. When Jesus had come, he knew that his ministry was coming to an end. He realized that Jesus’ ministry was increasing, as he was decreasing. This didn’t make John angry but rather filled with joy as the preparation for Christ was coming together.

Through John, we visualized that genuine humility deflects praise.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please strengthen us to decrease and for you to increase in all that we may do in our lives. Please allow us to understand that you have a greater plan set before us, and as it unfolds give us the strength to remember your glory. Guide us through your holy path. In Jesus’ most precious name we pray. Amen

Thought for the Day
 In all that you do, decrease and let the Lord increase.

Jason Mathew 
Epiphany MTC
 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more