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Topic: He Must Increase
[DCLM Daily Manna 12 August 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: John 3:22-30 (KJV)
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
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30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Key Verse: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
MESSAGE:
Winston Churchill was once asked, “Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?” “It’s quite flattering,” replied Sir Winston. “But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big.” It is good for a child of God to be humble. Someone said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils: it is humility that makes men as angels.” Humility pays.
John had started his ministry before Jesus and was the one who actually baptized Jesus in Jordan. The disciples of John monitored the progress and developments in Jesus’ camp and wondered why He should be baptizing more people than John. Is their master not going to do anything about it? John’s reply is classic. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He explained this better with the illustration of a wedding ceremony. He described himself as a friend of the bridegroom while Jesus was the bridegroom of the occasion. Obviously, the bridegroom is always more important than the friend in any wedding ceremony. In all, John was happy to be a self-effacing friend.
We must learn from the humble disposition of John. He brought himself lower compared to Jesus. The desire to be recognised and celebrated is more now than ever. Self-adulation is promoted in many circles. But a humble lifestyle is what Jesus desires for His own followers. Whatever hinders us from putting the love of God and His word above our personal wishes and desires must be rejected so that Jesus alone will be Lord and Master in our lives. Like John, we must ensure that the beauty of Jesus is clearly seen in us while self is crucified and brought low in every area of our lives. It worked for John, it will work for us too.
Thought For The Day: Humility exalts a man.
The Bible In One Year: Philemon 1
