The Word

Something about John's gospel has always spoken to me in a powerful way.  I love the symbolism and the beauty of the language he chooses to portray the life of Christ.  Usually, I get so "stuck" on the symbolism of the Light and the Word that I don't even notice all that is going on around them in the passage.

Reading through John 3-6 tonight, while I enjoyed the literary grace and flow of the passage, something that really stood out to me was verse 30 of chapter 3.  I think this is a verse that we hear quoted a lot, but we take it out of context.  What struck me most tonight was the context, so I'm going to share it and the preceding few verses as well:


John 3: 25-30 (ESV) Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”  John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I don't know that I had ever connected this verse to John the Baptist.  In fact, if I was asked I probably would have guessed that Paul said it somewhere in his epistles.  But no, this is John the Baptist's response to the people around him who were questioning him, maybe even badgering him or taunting him (it is difficult to tell without any inflection), regarding Jesus who was apparently seen by some as John's "replacement."  And yet, how does John respond?  "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Now, I will tell you what my natural response is whenever someone starts to replace me or to do a better job than me at something, especially if it is something I feel a strong calling to be doing.  And it is not such a flattering response.  I get jealous, and sometimes even angry.  And if I don't allow the Holy Spirit to put a stop to such a fallen response, I may even allow bitterness to creep in.  How ridiculous is that?  The whole point of me serving is to glorify God.  If someone else is better suited or qualified to glorify God than I in a particular area, why should I care?  

I'll tell you why.  It's because of pride.  That nature within us ever since the fall that refuses to let us simply abide in the grace and love of the Father, because somehow we have to be involved, we have to be recognized and admired for what we do, we have to be acknowledged among our peers.  The hardest part about pride, in my opinion, is just how subtly it works its way into our lives.  One moment, we truly are doing and serving with a heart intent on glorifying God...a few minutes later we may have allowed our flesh to deceive us into believing that we are somehow giving something to the world around us (or even to God) that no one else could, that we are special, unique, and people should be thankful for all the ways we serve them.

What a lie.  My sin is as stinky, repulsive, and disgusting as the sin of anyone else.  It is only by grace that I experience the forgiveness of my most precious Savior and the freedom and power through the Spirit to live a changed life.  God could choose to use me, or He could choose to use another member of His family.  I am honored that He chooses me, but it is not something I should take as a compliment to myself and my ability to do things well.  Instead, I should focus my dependence more fully on God as I realize my inadequacy to perform the good works He has laid out in advance for me to walk in.  It is by His strength alone that I can make that journey.

It amazes me how God uses one little, seemingly insignificant verse that is often quoted out of context to seriously put me in my place.  I pray that God will continue to soften my heart to the admonishment of His Word in my life.  I cannot change, but I can allow Him to work the change in His unconditional love and perfect timing.