December 13, 2022 – Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew.  They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”   John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.   You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’  He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.   He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:25-30

John says, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.”   John has the right perspective in his relationship with Jesus Christ – Jesus must be bigger than he. There are many today who, I believe, try to assert themselves as being bigger than Jesus Christ. John Lennon once stated that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus Christ. The gospel of John states that John came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe in him.  This light is the true light that enlightens everyone, and allows us to have a clearer understanding of our relationship with G-d. Or at least this light should enlighten us to the love of G-d as we prepare for Jesus to return.

But for many individuals, this is a message that falls flat at their feet because they are unwilling to be in the right relationship with Jesus – or are preparing in other ways for other things. In this Advent season, let us remember our true place as we prepare for a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, if John could learn to allow Jesus to increase in his life, help me to follow the same path – where Jesus gets bigger and my ego gets smaller as I follow his path of love and forgiveness. Amen.

Pastor Dave