John isn’t afraid to present tensions that challenge us to think deeply. Sometimes things he says appear to be contradictory. When we see something that seems different than something he’s already said, we should ask why. For instance, in the very same chapter (3), John says that God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but to save the world. In today’s passage, the angry judgment of God remains on those who do not believe in the Son. What gives?
This is where John - and much of Christian theology - hinges on the personal action of each individual. Following Jesus is not passive or accidental. God created the world and humanity within it. And humanity has both the opportunity and responsibility to think and act.
In this way, Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to offer salvation. But the gift needs to be accepted and acted upon. Otherwise, the gift remains unclaimed.
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John the Baptist’s example in this passage is noteworthy. He has quite a following at this point. Even the religious leaders are coming out to see what’s up with this guy. People are wondering if he is the messiah who will save Israel (this alone would give John the Baptist quite the opportunity).
Yet when asked about this other guy who is now gaining more attraction, John does not grasp for attention or power. He rightfully points it back to Jesus.
Can you imagine a leader today showing such deference? Maybe it happens more than we know. But our society, and the media that magnifies its values, often overlooks such deference and humility.
So we who follow Jesus need to both hold on to the notion that such grace-full and humble leadership is possible and that we should demonstrate it within the context and opportunity that we have.
John 3:22-36
After this Jesus and his disciples went into Judea, where he spent some time with them and was baptizing. John was baptizing at Aenon near Salem because there was a lot of water there, and people were coming to him and being baptized. (John hadn’t yet been thrown into prison.)
A debate started between John’s disciples and a certain Jew about cleansing rituals. They came to John and said, “Rabbi, look! The man who was with you across the Jordan, the one about whom you testified, is baptizing and everyone is flocking to him.”
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless it is given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I’m not the Christ but that I’m the one sent before him. The groom is the one who is getting married. The friend of the groom stands close by and, when he hears him, is overjoyed at the groom’s voice. Therefore, my joy is now complete. He must increase and I must decrease. The one who comes from above is above all things. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all things. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever accepts his testimony confirms that God is true. The one whom God sent speaks God’s words because God gives the Spirit generously. The Father loves the Son and gives everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever doesn’t believe in the Son won’t see life, but the angry judgment of God remains on them.”
Psalm 131:1-2
Lord, my heart isn’t proud; my eyes aren’t proud either. I don’t get involved with things too great or wonderful for me. No. But I have calmed and quieted myself
like a weaned child on its mother; I’m like the weaned child that is with me.
Prayer
God,
I confess I haven’t often thought of John the Baptist as a humble person. Not that I didn’t think he could be humble. It’s just not a primary characteristic when people think of him and his wild ways.
Maybe it sticks out to me this morning because of the state of leadership presented to us so often today. We’ve got devastating wild fires raging, not even close to contained yet, and all the leaders of all stripes want to bicker about whose fault it is and who deserves help and who doesn’t.
It’s sickening to me.
But God, I believe that in the midst of it all, there are people helping, people giving, and people doing what is right. I’m praying especially for them this morning. Give them the strength and resources to carry out your compassionate work amidst such severe difficulty.
And yeah, Lord: I pray for those in the highest places of authority, too. Knock those nitwits on the head and all the way to their hearts. Give us leaders who care.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
My sincere humility comes from remembering God's goodness in my life and where He, in His great love and mercy, has brought me from. When I find myself thinking arrogantly, or unfortunately, times I have responded in a condescending manner, I am quickly brought to Repentance. I regularly ask God to clothe me in His righteousness and humility. I have a lot of accomplishments, so it could easily swell one's head but again, instead I focus on the journey-from where I came, to where I am. God brought me all this way and it's not about me-it's about Him and what He is doing. Again, as a previous devotional you wrote stated, we, like John, are to be signposts that point others to Jesus. It's so humbling!!!!