“He must become greater and greater,
and I must become less and less.”
-John 3:30 (NLT)
John the Baptist. We have looked at his miraculous conception, his unique and quirky fashion and diet, the call of God on his life, the important message he was called to deliver of repentance, and his life of authentic worship. Today, we come to the end of this series about John the Baptist. Although his life ended by the hand of Herod, He lived his life unto the Lord and left an example for us to all follow. The sermon’s main text was John 3:25-30. (NIV)
“An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26) 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.”27) To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28) You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29) 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. 30) He must become greater; I must become less.”
Verse 30 is where we want to focus. These 8 words. John recognized Jesus for who he was. John had been walking in the call of God on his life and he knew it wasn’t about him, but about JESUS! John was following Jesus’ command found in Matthew 10:37-38 (NIV)” Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38) Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
This concept sounds nice. Generally speaking we surely all want more of God. But, do we really want less of ourselves? This week we are going to take a deeper look at John and this concept of More God/Less Me. May God speak clearly to your heart this week.
Monday:
Let’s look at Matthew 10:38 (NIV) “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” In Bible times the cross represented a horrifying death and this verse spoke of certain execution. It speaks to all of us about following Christ, no matter the outcome. And new life is found in Him. We know that Jesus loves us and has our very best interest in mind. With that thought, He also demands that we live in a way that pleases God. Pastor Adam shared these points:
1)Treasure Him above all things.
2)Trust Him more than anyone else.
3)Enjoy Him more than anything else.
4)Obey Him over all things.
5)Delight in Him above all things.
Reflection/Action:
Look at the 5 points listed above and consider where you are in relation to each one. Are you finding that it’s more about you and less about Him? Read John 3:25-30 again and ask the Lord to help you on this journey.
Tuesday:
John gets that it's all about Jesus as we see in John 3:29 “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.” John had a role, a part, but he knew it was about Jesus all along. The bridegroom represents Jesus and the bride represents the Church. John has had the joy of being the friend of the bridegroom - Jesus and Jesus has come. John had a role, a call, and it was to help people find Jesus.
Reflection/Action:
We each have unique gifts that Christ has put within us. Do you treasure those gifts and look at your own ability and pat yourself on the back, or do you recognize God’s hand at work? Take some time today to thank Him for His plan for your life and the gifts He has given you.
Wednesday:
John understood that following Christ would lead to places that are uncomfortable. He would need to love, serve, care, and give even when it felt hard. Sometimes as a parent we may disappoint our children because we see something greater than the thing that has momentarily caught their attention. Actually, no matter what age or stage we are in, we can get easily caught up in things that we shouldn’t. However, it takes trust and obedience to not be self-serving but God-serving. More of Him, less of us.
Reflection/Action:
Take some time to reflect and ask God to show you any areas that you are giving your attention to that you need to hand over to Him. Do you really know that you can trust God? Will you take a step and trust Him and His plan and then walk in obedience to leave that momentary thing behind in light of eternity and all that God has for you?
Thursday:
This concept, this truth, ‘more of God, less of me’, goes against everything the world says. John the Baptist knew it would not be easy and we see that it ultimately cost him his very life. But John was not afraid to obey and do the right things. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. That was a fulfillment of prophecy. He was not afraid to speak the truth. Luke 3:19-20 (NIV) “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20) Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.” John was calling people to get right with God, not trying to win people over to his preferences. However, Herod did not like that message. He was in ‘the less of God, more of me’ camp, a very dangerous camp to be sure. John ends up in prison because of his stand for truth.
Reflection/Action:
Have you ever stood up for truth and found yourself imprisoned, or at least unpopular, disliked, or unfriended, but you knew it was the right thing to do and you obeyed? Or are you trying to win people over to your preferences? As Pastor Adam reminded us, it’s not about trying to get people to agree with us, it’s about helping people find and follow Jesus. If you are facing a situation that is needing truth, pray and ask God to help you stand strong and speak the truth.
Friday:
We read in Matthew 11:2-3 “When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” John was feeling discouraged. John the Baptist reaches out to Jesus in his darkest moment. He’s in prison and things are not going how he thought they might or even should. He did not lose his faith, but he needed his faith to be strengthened. This is human. We’ve all been there. The important thing is to reach out to Jesus in those dark and doubt-filled moments. First Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Jesus responds to John, Matthew 11:4-6 “Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5) The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Jesus did not scold John, He reminded John of Who He was.
Reflection/Action
Is life not turning out the way you think it should? Are you following Jesus, praying, reading His Word, etc and you are facing some doubt? That is human. Reach out to God in the darkness of doubt and uncertainty. He knows all of it and He will answer. Take some time to read and meditate on 1 Peter 5:7. And remember that in our weak moments, Jesus does not look down on us but lifts us up.
Also, if you’d like more insight about struggling with doubt, click here and watch or listen to Adam’s message on “Dealing with Doubt” from September 12, 2021.
Saturday:
We read of John the Baptist's tragic end in Matthew 11:18-29. Herod had him thrown in prison because he spoke out against Herod’s marriage to Herodias (Herod’s own sister-in-law). Fast forward to a banquet that Herod threw for his high officials where the daughter of Herodias danced for everyone. Herod was “pleased” and offered her anything she wanted. Upon consulting with her mother, who hated John, she came up with the “perfect” request - John’s head on a platter. John the Baptist, the man who paved the way, leading people to repentance, the man who baptized Jesus himself. However, John trusted and obeyed. There was never a promise it would be easy or end well, but Christ is with us and in us and for us. We have the assurance of eternity. May Christ increase and may we decrease.
Reflection/Action:
We were never promised an easy life as a follower of Christ. It comes down to asking these two questions: Do I trust Him? Will I obey Him? Sit with these two questions and ask the Lord to speak to you. He may speak through His Word, prayer, a sermon, or a trusted friend. Ask the Lord to help you live out John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.” We cannot do this in our own strength, but He will help us.