"To this John replied, 'A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, "I am not the Christ 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.'" - John 3:27-30
It has nothing to do with my being a preacher. But I must say that, without exception, the happiest people I know are the ones who admit that Jesus is greatest, who praise Him, who speak of Him to others, and who show them His love.
In today's verses, when John the Baptist says that Jesus must become greater and he himself (John) must become less, it's not because John has low self-esteem. To the contrary, John the Baptist loved himself enough to "receive [what was] given him from heaven," namely the unmatched joy of being the "friend who attends the bridegroom," getting the groom ready to be joined to his bride.
Okay, I know this is heavy stuff this early in the morning. So let's boil it down.
1) John is glad for Jesus to be greater than John is.
2) John sees that it's a joy and a gift from God that John gets to serve Jesus because Jesus is indeed greater.
3) John also sees that the greatest way to serve Jesus is by helping him to connect with his bride, the Church, which is made up of many people/members.
4) Finally, John sees that the greatest way to serve Jesus so that he can connect with his bride, the Church, is by listening for Jesus, listening to Jesus, and speaking of Jesus to others.
So, what does this mean for us today?
In sum, if you listen for Jesus and to His word, then you'll have the God-given joy of knowing how to bring others to Christ.
Admit that Jesus is greatest. Praise him. Speak of Him to others. Show them his love.
Joy awaits you.
And who doesn't want more joy?
Have a great day sharing Jesus.
Praise God!
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