John 3:31-36

31 "He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven.

32 He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!

33 Those who believe him discover that God is true.

34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.

35 The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything.

36 And all who believe in God's Son have eternal life. Those who don't obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them."



John the Baptist tells us that Jesus is greater than anyone here on earth. He was sent by God himself. He tells us about heavenly things -- things it is hard for us to understand. We only really know this physical world that we live in.

Even today, few people believe what Jesus tells them. They choose not to recognize the power of Jesus. They choose not to believe in Him. They choose to believe in what they see and hear in this world. They choose to wait until another day, or believe it doesn't matter, that if they live a good, moral life, they will be rewarded by Jesus whether they choose to follow him in this life or not. They miss the fact that we are told we must OBEY Jesus, not just believe in Him. The Devil believes...is he going to inherit Heaven?

John 3:22-30

22 Afterward Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem, but they stayed in Judea for a while and baptized there.

23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there and people kept coming to him for baptism.

24 This was before John was put into prison.

25 At that time a certain Jew began an argument with John's disciples over ceremonial cleansing.

26 John's disciples came to him and said, "Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming here to us."

27 John replied, "God in heaven appoints each person's work.

28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him-that is all.

29 The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom's friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom's friend, and I am filled with joy at his success.

30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.



As I read this, the first thing that really jumped out at me was verse 27 -- "God in heaven appoints each person's work." Reading on, you see that John the Baptist was very aware of his role. He was also very aware that his work would be coming to a close. But he continued to point the way to Jesus. And he continued to proclaim Jesus the Messiah.

When humans are asked to give up a "work", sometimes it is not easy. Sometimes you really miss the "work", some folks might even resent that the "work" was taken from them. It is not always easy to see God at work in your life.

What a great example John the Baptist set for us. Always look to God! Continue to point the way to Jesus! God will have a new plan for you -- be conscious of that. And continue to pray that His will be done.