The Answer is Jesus
A reading for Friday, February 27, 2015: John 3:22-36.
In the lesson for today, the writer of John sets the scene describing Jesus baptizing on one side of the river and John on the other.
Then we read about a dispute that arises among those following John. "Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew." We don't know the exact nature of the discussion, but reading between the lines and considering the word purification, it was likely about baptism.
A Jew wanted to know who has the better baptism?
After all, John had baptized Jesus. Why now were more people going to Jesus for baptism than coming to John? John was first. Jesus was more popular. Who has the better baptism?
John's answer is Jesus. Jesus is the one who has come from above. Jesus is the one who saves, who teaches the Word of God, and who shares the Spirit without any reservation at all. John is merely a servant of Jesus. Jesus is the One.
We ask the same questions... Who has the better music in worship? Who is a better preacher? What church is more convenient to where I live? Who has the better baptism? Perhaps we don't really ask that last one, but most of our questions are just like it.
Truth is, Jesus is the answer. All the other questions are ones that must decrease, while faith in Jesus Christ must increase. That's the message of John the Baptist. Focus on the most important thing first, and the rest will fall into place. Jesus is the most important thing.
"For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."
In the lesson for today, the writer of John sets the scene describing Jesus baptizing on one side of the river and John on the other.
Then we read about a dispute that arises among those following John. "Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew." We don't know the exact nature of the discussion, but reading between the lines and considering the word purification, it was likely about baptism.
A Jew wanted to know who has the better baptism?
After all, John had baptized Jesus. Why now were more people going to Jesus for baptism than coming to John? John was first. Jesus was more popular. Who has the better baptism?
John's answer is Jesus. Jesus is the one who has come from above. Jesus is the one who saves, who teaches the Word of God, and who shares the Spirit without any reservation at all. John is merely a servant of Jesus. Jesus is the One.
We ask the same questions... Who has the better music in worship? Who is a better preacher? What church is more convenient to where I live? Who has the better baptism? Perhaps we don't really ask that last one, but most of our questions are just like it.
Truth is, Jesus is the answer. All the other questions are ones that must decrease, while faith in Jesus Christ must increase. That's the message of John the Baptist. Focus on the most important thing first, and the rest will fall into place. Jesus is the most important thing.
"For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."
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