John 3:31b - He who comes from heaven is above all.
We live in a world that loves to pat itself on the back. How unfortunate that our lives are often lived and measured in terms of what we accomplish and how great our reputations become.
Consider John the Baptist. He was a powerful and influential preacher; he was a very important person in the kingdom of God. During his ministry he was becoming well known by hundreds of people who heard his words and were baptized by him. It would have been easy to latch on to this fame and bask in the recognition he received.
However, instead of looking to increase his own honor and glory, John knew there was Someone else more important than himself: Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. John knew that God's kingdom wasn't best served by putting himself first; rather, it was all about Jesus—who He is and what He would do to rescue self-serving sinners everywhere.
John the Baptist is a wonderful example for us as we live as Christians in this world. He puts into clear perspective the most important Person in our lives. When giving testimony about Jesus, he said this: "He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all" (John 3:30-31).
John knew that everything hinged on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. As the Son of God and Savior of the world, Jesus is preeminent in all things. Through faith in the salvation we receive by virtue of His blood—shed on the cross on our behalf—our sins have been pardoned by the Father's grace.
For all that Jesus has done, He alone is worthy of our honor and praise.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach us genuine humility of spirit and make us, like John the Baptist, voices proclaiming Your mercy and salvation to those lost in the wilderness. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
From the message, "The Most Important Person In Your Life," by Pastor Clovis V. Gedrat, who works in partnership with LHM-Brazil.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever taken a back seat to someone else more important?
2. In what ways did John the Baptist defer to Jesus?
3. How can we show that we put Jesus first above all things in our lives?
Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 2-4 John 19:23-42
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