Jesus and His disciples were baptizing. [1] So were John the Baptist and his disciples. [2] John the Baptist was informed, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” [3]
John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]
John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]
John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]
Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.
[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36
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