John 3:30
New King James Version (NKJV)
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Jesus said of John the Baptist that he was the greatest prophet. It had been 400 years between the last prophet and John and the people of Israel were hungry. People crowded around John so much so that the religious leaders of the time heard about it and came to question him. Once John had proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God people started to follow Jesus and this brought concern to the disciples of John. They brought it to John's attention. That is when John gave them the statement above.
John could have easily kept the disciples for himself and made sure that they followed him; never pointing them to Jesus. This would have been a tragedy, for John could not save the people from their sins. Jesus was the only true hope for the world and John understood this. It is the goal (or should be the goal) of every follower of Jesus to point people to Him not ourselves. Every preacher, pastor, evangelist, father, mother and child that knows Jesus should live in such a way that they decrease and Jesus increases.
Recipient of Joy
Jesus said of John the Baptist that he was the greatest prophet. It had been 400 years between the last prophet and John and the people of Israel were hungry. People crowded around John so much so that the religious leaders of the time heard about it and came to question him. Once John had proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God people started to follow Jesus and this brought concern to the disciples of John. They brought it to John's attention. That is when John gave them the statement above.
John could have easily kept the disciples for himself and made sure that they followed him; never pointing them to Jesus. This would have been a tragedy, for John could not save the people from their sins. Jesus was the only true hope for the world and John understood this. It is the goal (or should be the goal) of every follower of Jesus to point people to Him not ourselves. Every preacher, pastor, evangelist, father, mother and child that knows Jesus should live in such a way that they decrease and Jesus increases.
Recipient of Joy
John 3:29 New King James Version (NKJV)
29 He
who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s
voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
It was a joy for John to see others going to Jesus. Let this be our joy also.
I take great joy in sharing what the Lord as put on my heart for you to be encouraged; however, my true joy is when you look to Jesus Himself. God bless dear reader.
Feel free to leave a comment and please share if you are encouraged.
It was a joy for John to see others going to Jesus. Let this be our joy also.
I take great joy in sharing what the Lord as put on my heart for you to be encouraged; however, my true joy is when you look to Jesus Himself. God bless dear reader.
Feel free to leave a comment and please share if you are encouraged.
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