You Cool with Others' Success?
October 7, 2023
John 3:22-36 | Philippians 1:3-8
Do you sometimes find it hard to celebrate for someone else? Are you a competitive person? What makes us competitive? Society celebrates the competitive nature of people. Why do you think that is?
John models good teamwork and submission in our passage today.
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.”
Philippians 1:3-8
I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God’s grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
Prayer
God,
Help me desire the best for all of humanity. I really don’t want to rejoice in someone else’s downfall. I’m not sure why I can be so competitive, territorial, and desiring of all the glory. So help me, God.
Lead me to better compassion and sharing. Help me to value propping up others, supporting others, cheering others on, and enjoying others’ victory.
Help me to distinguish - to judge - the value of something based upon the values of your kingdom.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.