Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 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
 

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