"...And I Must Decrease..."

john 3 study

Two thoughts I have from this chapter... well, at least two that I will share today.   The first is John's comment to the Jew who I wonder was maybe trying to stir up John that Jesus was getting more attention with baptism than he was.   John was the first baptizer- until Jesus.  The Jew says, " look, he [Jesus] is baptizing, and all are going to him."  John, however, didn't respond the way I think the Jew was hoping.  Remember that many of the Jews were skeptical of Jesus as the Messiah and therefore tested him and many of his followers, this- I believe, being one account.  John responds to the Jew humbly and in honor of Jesus:

"A person cannot receive even one things unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'  The one who has the bride is the bridegroom.  The friend of the bridegroom , who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice.  Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  He must increase, but I must decrease."  {Verses 27-30}

I myself am humbled by John's attitude.  John was kind of a big deal! Many fled to the wilderness just to be baptized by him.  Now that fame was being taken away because the One who John taught and spoke about was here- and John wanted Jesus to get all the glory and himself none.  Who does that?  We all need this attitude that John had.  In today's world, it's all about increasing oneself, but John recognized his place and surrendered all that he was to Jesus and His authority.  How amazing. 

The second part of today's blog is what comes after the oh-so-familiar John 3:16 verse.  Don't get me wrong John 3:16 is a great verse, but so often as a child/teenager, I stopped there. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.  {Verses 16-18}

This is the truth I think all people- unbelieving and believing, young and old need to read over and over and over again.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it.  Christians, if God didn't send his Son to condemn the world, then why do we 1)condemn others and 2) live as if we are condemned?   I know many of us (including myself) don't mean to condemn others, but we sure come across that way when we judge others' sin as if it's greater than ours.  Even just within the Christian circles.  We hear of another brother or sister in the Lord who stumbles- we all do- and yet instead of helping them get back to their feet, praying for strength, we turn our backs to them.  It's no wonder then, that some believers live as if they're condemned- they have been, by other Christians!  Ooooh this just infuriates me!  (Not saying that I've never done this, but isn't it always easy to get righteously angry about something from the outside??)  People of God, if Christ was not sent here to condemn, but rather to save the world, can we follow His example?  Let us not condemn our neighbors, friends or family but rather let Jesus save them!  Sometimes Jesus uses us in that process- our testimonies, our example, our love for others... How effective will we be in being apart of Jesus' saving grace to others if we are only condemning them?

Just my thoughts... what are yours?

~Leanne~