John 3:25-30
An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."
When Jesus comes on the scene, I think the disciples of John the Baptist must have faced great conflicts and challenges in their hearts. Just think, John the Baptist is the prophet send by God. What he speaks are the messages of God. Those who followed him may be feeling quite honored because they are following the prophet of their day and are walking in the will of God. But now that Jesus has come, many people are attracted to him, so much so that even some of the disciples of John the Baptist are following Jesus Christ. Those who were baptized by them are now listening to the message of Jesus Christ. Even more, Jesus is baptizing people in a nearby place. Additionally, more and more people are going there. Therefore, the disciples of John must be feeling pretty sour inside.
They asked John the Baptist: "Rabbi, why are you allowing Jesus Christ to baptize people over there?" Maybe they are expecting John the Baptist to take a stand and stop the work of Jesus, and help them turn the situation around a little. However, John the Baptist did not do according to their expectation. On the contrary, he makes it clear once again: "I am not Jesus Christ. I am only to go before him to be his witness. Haven't I told you this before? Even on these things you can be my witness. I never say that I am the Christ. I only say that I am the witness for the Christ, and today the Christ has come."
John the Baptist has a new explanation: "Isn't the bridegroom the one marrying the bride? No matter how many wedding programs happened before the bridegroom comes, when the main character - the bridegroom shows up, all the honor and glory belongs to him. The friends of the bridegroom stand on the side and rejoice for the bridegroom." In other words, Jesus is the main character. When the main character comes on the scene, all the supporting characters must move to the side. Therefore, in verse 30 John the Baptist said these great words: "He must become greater; I must become less." In every area of our life, can we also say the same thing? "Lord, you must become greater; I must become less." When we truly understand that Jesus Christ is the main character of our life and we are just the supporting character; then for the Lord's sake, we will step down from our position and let Jesus Christ be the Lord of our life. Only when we come to honor and glorify the Lord in this way may the Lord's will be done!
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