Jesus Must Increase

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Scripture: John 3:26-30 (NRSV)

26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Devotion:

            As we continue to read the advent stories in the Bible we come across this scene in the gospel of John. It is packed with meaning. In it John’s disciples come to him with a complaint about Jesus. His popularity among the people is increasing. The disciples of John say, “all are going to him.” John responds in three ways. First, (v. 27) John uses a pithy saying that, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.” John testifies that Jesus has come from heaven, and it is good and right for the people to go to him.

            Second, (v. 28) John uses his own words to remind his disciples of what he had said when he baptized Jesus. “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” John here declares without saying it outright that John is simply a forerunner of the Messiah, and Jesus who is the Messiah is greater than he is, so it is right for the people to go to him. John’s humility marks him out to be a great man but he is only a man. A friend of the groom.

            Finally, (vss.29-30) John tells a brief parable. In the time of Jesus and in his culture the groom’s best man waits outside the bedroom door for the groom to shout that he has consummated the marriage. So, John is saying that he has been waiting for Jesus (the bridegroom) to come. The best man rejoices in the success of the bridegroom. John knows his place in the divine plan, and he is pleased to see that the bridegroom is gaining popularity among the people.

            We must be like John in that our role in God’s drama. Jesus must constantly be the focus of our lives. His spirit must increase within us and our own must decrease. We must be joyful witnesses to the one who came 2,000 years ago and has promised to return whenever the Father sends him. We must in this advent season learn the spiritual skill of waiting well. God is in control of things; we must learn to wait joyfully for Jesus' return.

Prayer:

Lord God almighty, help us learn to be patient in waiting for your Son to return. We confess that in our day and age waiting has become more difficult to do because we have become accustomed to getting what we want right away. Calm our anxious selves so that we might receive your blessings as you give them. Help us to be joyful in this season. Since we know that your promise is true let us be patient waiters. Amen.

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