After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) 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.”
John 3:22-30 NIV
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.”
A friend called on a random day. We played phone tag for a couple of days. But when we connected I was surprised and delighted that He wanted to talk about a passage of Scripture. Call me a Bible nerd, I don’t care. One of my favorite activities is to talk about a section of Scripture and share together in community about what God is teaching us from His word. This dear gentleman teaches Bible study in our community, and he was inviting me to come and share my thoughts on the above passage from John 3.
Well, I have lots of thoughts and words, but to come and present them in front of neighbors would be an honor, and a bit daunting. Unfortunately, for me, my calendar did not allow me this opportunity to be present on this particular day. However, I relished the idea of pondering the Scripture in light of the question asked. Here’s the question.
What attitudes and motives in ministry can you emulate from the life of John the Baptizer?
What a great question! And so began three days of pondering, re-reading, and asking the Holy Spirit to teach me. These are the treasures I received and will store up in my heart. Gifts given tenderly by the Holy Spirit meant to shape my mind and my heart.
And now I’d like to share this buffet table with you. The table is set. All you have to do is receive the invitation to dine with Jesus. Come and feast, and be nourished by the word of God. Be changed. Grow and bear fruit as your roots dig deeper into fertile soil.
I hope you will forgive the bullet point format. I want to leave plenty of space for you to have your own thoughts, ponderings and rabbit trails. Have fun!
- Reading the passage in John 3 regarding John’s ministry, I am firstly reminded of Ephesians 2:10. God wants us to know that He created each and every one of us on purpose and for a purpose, and He has good works for us to do. No one is an accident.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
- Looking at Luke 1, John’s birth foretold and then the events surrounding his birth, it’s pretty obvious that God intended for John to be born to the priest, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, at just this right time for just such the purpose of preparing the way for the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
Luke 1:11-15 NIV
- And then reading the short narrative in John 3 regarding the Baptizer, his disciples and his ministry, we see a man who understands his calling and his place in God’s grand design. He knows his lane, and he’s determined to stay in it.
- It is natural for us to strive, work hard and seek to gain success in our area of expertise and talent. It’s even normal as humans to compete against one another and be jealous of another’s success. Though it’s normal to our humanity, it is not God’s way for us.
- So here’s where I see the spirit of God on John’s life. John held fast in obedience by continually doing the work to which he was called – point people to Jesus, the Messiah.
- The icing on this cake is found sweetly in the words of John…. “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.”” John 3:29-30 NIV
- In ministry we go lower and serve others in order to highlight Christ.
- Who is the bridegroom?
- Who is the bride?
- Who is the groom’s attendant?
- What a gorgeous depiction of humility and strength in trusting God for His purposes, His gifting, His favor and delight in giving me the blessed opportunity to serve Him, and His bride, and bring glory, honor and exaltation to Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom.
- We should always celebrate God’s good work in others, including celebrations of success that we might not have achieved.
What do you glean from this passage of Scripture? What does the Holy Spirit want you to know about ministry, serving God and people, and how do these nuggets of wisdom impact your current circumstances? I would love to read your comments.
P.S. I truly hope you have at least one friend who serves up delicious opportunities to read God’s word and ponder interesting and challenging questions. I hope you have friends who tell you to put your…
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa
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