24. “He must increase”

I’ve been enjoying a little meditation on John the Baptist tonight in the gospel of John chapter 1.

John the Baptist
- spoke of the Lord (v23)
- saw and pointed out the Lord (v29)

John’s humility is a great challenge to my pride.
- When others asked him if he was the Christ, he confessed that he was simply “a voice”.
- John humbled himself before the greatness of Him who came after him, who was before him in eternity past. John did not say he was unworthy to walk with the Lord, though that indeed was true. He did not say he was unworthy to speak for the Lord, though this was also true. Instead he said he was unworthy to perform the very menial and humiliating service of unclasping the Lord’s shoe (sandal). He did not even say “I am ONLY worthy to untie His shoes”. He said “I am NOT WORTHY” even to stoop down and untie His shoe.

John’s attitude was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He was content to be a friend of the Bridegroom, and hear His voice. This was the fulfillment of his joy.  His purpose was to point others to the Saviour, and he did so willingly (1:36-37). His joy was to see others pointed away from himself to Christ, to be unnoticed so Christ could be preeminent. He did not seek the praise of men.

Yet at the close of his ministry, when he was imprisoned and out of public view, and Christ was now manifested, he received the commendation that was truly worth while: from Christ Himself. “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:11). Though John was out of the limelight, his task was complete. He had given Christ first place, and the Lord was pleased to place great honor upon this true and humble servant.

So in my life may I seek to give my Teacher and Lord the preeminence, and may those things that I say and do point others to the One who girded Himself with a towel to wash His disciples’ feet, yea, delighting in His Father’s will, and for the joy that was set before Him, took the lowest place on account of my sin, enduring the cross with piercéd feet, that I might walk in fellowship and harmony with Him and His Father.

This meditation was inspired through comments made by Dr. A.J. Higgins and Mr. Larry Beotte.

22. He comes!

The Lord is near!

Oh let this burn

within my heart

and let me learn

to warn more souls

that they may yearn

for peace with God

and to Him turn!

.

He comes! He comes!

Oh let the thought

cause me to see

His will is sought

with caring word

a kind deed wrought;

.

The Master comes!

I’m by Him bought.

Behold! Day breaks!

My Beloved stands

to come for me

and all His bands;

caught up with Him

to Heaven’s lands.

Then gaze, transfixed:

His nail-pierced hands!

.

Look in His face…

and Him embrace.

8. “All these things are against me.” Gen. 42:36

It seemed everything was against Jacob. He was still grieving over the apparent death of his beloved Joseph, he had no idea if Simeon would ever return, and his youngest son was about to be made to leave home. They were experiencing a great famine and they would starve without a long trek back into Egypt to buy food from a seemingly hostile ruler. What more could go wrong?

Yet, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). Things are not always as they appear, and to faith, God’s good purpose will be fulfilled regardless of appearances to the contrary. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28 ) “Joseph is yet alive!”, Simeon would soon return, Benjamin would meet his brother, the family would be united, sin would be dealt with and put away, and the whole family would soon have their fill of the very best of the land of Egypt. Really, how could things have been better? 

Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but
“I can do ALL THINGS through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)
“With God, ALL THINGS are possible” (Matt 19:26)
“He hath done ALL THINGS well” (Mark 7:37)
“ALL THINGS are yours… and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1Cor 3:21,23
2Cor 4:7-18 ALL THINGS (tribulations) are for the benefit of others.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
No, in ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37) 

I’ll pass along a few thoughts given to us from Jerry Jennings last night:
God brings:
Sweet out of Bitter
Strength out of Weakness
Triumph out of Tradgedy, and
Blessing out of Broken hearts.

If you’re like me, you sometimes find yourself repeating Jacob’s words. Yet God’s strengthening words, all-sufficient hand, and sympathizing heart are ever near. May you enjoy His feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, and faith out of floundering today.

~NEB

3. “Follow Me”

 

What should the Lord’s words mean to the Christian, a follower of Christ?

 

Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mat 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

 

It means a new trade.

Not necessarily an employment change, but we have a new purpose in life: to live Christ before others and win them to the Savior.

 

Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

 

It means leaving familiar ties.

Not turning our backs on them, but choosing Christ over natural inclinations that would lead us away from Him.

 

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

 

It means leaving treasure.

Not necessarily giving away all we own, but what we are and have now belongs to Christ. We are stewards of His goods and we should be “willing to distribute.”

 

 

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

It means a trusting relationship.

Now this is what makes life worth living. A relationship with Christ is everything.

 

Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…

 

It means a tree.

Suffering comes before glory.

 

If we’re following someone, that means we’re doing similar works to those of our Master.

 

The Lord Jesus always did the will of His Father in Heaven.

What did this mean to Him?

 

Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

 

For Him it wasn’t a mere change of jobs. It meant a trip to planet earth, a whole new world, a life of humiliation and suffering. Because He came He is now able to be our Advocate and Great High Priest, our Helper and Friend.

 

 

Luk 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

 

The Lord Jesus taught the value of heavenly ties over earthly ones. On another line, though we would not say His communion with the Father was ever broken, the cry from the cross to a holy God who forsook the suffering Savior will always impress our hearts.

 

 

2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

Who could give more treasure than the Lord Jesus? Who could pay the price that He paid?

We know none other could ever come close to His poverty nor to the riches He brought us.

He left the glories of heaven to rescue a sin-cursed earth. He paid for our forgiveness with His own blood and gave us a way to have a living, loving relationship with His own Father. He bore our weight of shame, suffering and wrath upon a cruel tree.

 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

~NB