He Must Increase; I Must Decrease
In John chapter 3, we read about a Pharisee named Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night to talk with Him. Although it might seem that he was afraid to be seen talking to Jesus, it is more likely that Nicodemus wanted to be able to speak with Jesus at length, without the interruptions and distractions of the crowds. I like how it was pointed out in my study that Nicodemus began their conversation by identifying himself with a group - the Pharisees. But Jesus made sure to turn their conversation around to make it personal. There are two things that stand out to me here in the beginning of the chapter: 1) We need to spend time with the Lord one-on-one and 2) We need to keep our focus on our own growth, and not make comparisons with others.
Jesus then speaks to Nicodemus about being “born again.” This was a new and confusing idea to Nicodemus. Jesus was not referring to a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one. Warren Wiersbe writes that spiritual rebirth requires the Spirit of God and the Word of God. He goes on to say that if our nature determines our appetite, than as Christians, we should have an appetite for the things of God (1 Peter 2:2-3). We “feed” on the Word of God and grow in spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:11-14). We are “born again to a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3).
In verses 10-21 Jesus talks about how He will have to be “lifted up” and that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. In Numbers 21:4-9, we read about the Israelites being saved from deadly snake bites by looking on the serpent Moses formed and placed on a pole. As the Israelites were saved by looking in faith at the serpent on the pole, so are we saved by believing in Christ, by looking to Him in faith. Wiersbe writes that “the difference between perishing and living, and between condemnation and salvation, is faith in Jesus Christ.” Jesus came in love “as our Savior, and He died for us on the cross.” He became the “uplifted serpent.”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 This single verse captures the Gospel message. The price God paid to save the world was giving up His one and only Son. When we choose to believe in Christ as Savior we are free of condemnation.
The chapter goes on to record a dispute between the followers of John and Jesus. More people were beginning to go to Jesus, and John’s followers were jealous. John understood his mission as being the forerunner to the Messiah. He considered himself like a best man to a bridegroom - attending to his needs until the wedding and then stepping away to allow the new couple to be together. Warren Wiersbe writes that “all ministry and blessing come from God. Our gifts and opportunities come from God and He alone must get the glory.” John humbly stated that Jesus must become greater, while he became less.
So often it is tempting to put the focus on ourselves and what we are doing for Christ instead of keeping the focus on what Christ is doing for us. It is the prayer of my heart to live a life of worship. I desire to remain mindful that all I am is because of Christ who is in me. And that all I am able to do is because of Christ who works in and through me. Anything sinful is my responsibility, but anything good is because of Christ. He must increase, and I must decrease.
In verses 31-33 John the Baptist was directing people to the Messiah by describing how Jesus represented the Father. Wiersbe writes that Jesus came from heaven. He represented the Father (v. 31). Jesus shared what he had seen and heard from the Father. Those who receive His witness and act on it know by personal experience that His witness is true. Christ’s teachings aren’t to be studied intellectually, separated from everyday life. It is when we obey His Word and put it into practice that we see its truth and experience its power (vv. 32-33). God sent Jesus, gave Him the Word, the Spirit and all things. To reject the Son’s witness is to rebel against the highest authority in the universe. But when we receive His witness, we share in His love and his wealth (vv. 34-35).
In conclusion, John writes in verse 36 that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” The Harvest study writer adds that “verse 36 is not simply speaking of heaven; every believer possesses that life right now! Anyone who does not believe has already been judged (v. 18), but the sentence has not yet been carried out.” Warren Wiersbe adds that “there is no neutrality. Either we trust (accept) Him or we reject Him. Everlasting life doesn’t just mean eternity in heaven. We all face eternity. The question is where will we spend it? Believers in Christ possess the ‘life of God.’ Those who do not believe in Christ are already condemned - but the sentence has not yet been executed because God is patient and He continues to call sinners to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).”
I love what Warren Wiersbe had to add in his New Testament commentary regarding having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
1) It is a living relationship that begins with new birth. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we share His very life and become children in the family of God.
2) It is a loving relationship. He is the bridegroom and we are a part of the bride. We desire that Jesus Christ increase as we decrease. He must receive all the honor and the glory.
3) It is a learning relationship. He is the faithful Witness who shares God’s truth with us. What a delight it is to receive His Word, meditate on it and make it part of our very lives.
We must never forget the cost of these blessings. For us to be born into God’s family, Jesus Christ had to die. For us to enter into the loving relationship of salvation, He had to endure the hatred and condemnation of men. He had to be lifted up on the cross so that we might experience forgiveness and eternal life. May we never take this for granted. He must increase, but I must decrease.
Jesus then speaks to Nicodemus about being “born again.” This was a new and confusing idea to Nicodemus. Jesus was not referring to a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one. Warren Wiersbe writes that spiritual rebirth requires the Spirit of God and the Word of God. He goes on to say that if our nature determines our appetite, than as Christians, we should have an appetite for the things of God (1 Peter 2:2-3). We “feed” on the Word of God and grow in spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:11-14). We are “born again to a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3).
In verses 10-21 Jesus talks about how He will have to be “lifted up” and that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. In Numbers 21:4-9, we read about the Israelites being saved from deadly snake bites by looking on the serpent Moses formed and placed on a pole. As the Israelites were saved by looking in faith at the serpent on the pole, so are we saved by believing in Christ, by looking to Him in faith. Wiersbe writes that “the difference between perishing and living, and between condemnation and salvation, is faith in Jesus Christ.” Jesus came in love “as our Savior, and He died for us on the cross.” He became the “uplifted serpent.”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 This single verse captures the Gospel message. The price God paid to save the world was giving up His one and only Son. When we choose to believe in Christ as Savior we are free of condemnation.
The chapter goes on to record a dispute between the followers of John and Jesus. More people were beginning to go to Jesus, and John’s followers were jealous. John understood his mission as being the forerunner to the Messiah. He considered himself like a best man to a bridegroom - attending to his needs until the wedding and then stepping away to allow the new couple to be together. Warren Wiersbe writes that “all ministry and blessing come from God. Our gifts and opportunities come from God and He alone must get the glory.” John humbly stated that Jesus must become greater, while he became less.
So often it is tempting to put the focus on ourselves and what we are doing for Christ instead of keeping the focus on what Christ is doing for us. It is the prayer of my heart to live a life of worship. I desire to remain mindful that all I am is because of Christ who is in me. And that all I am able to do is because of Christ who works in and through me. Anything sinful is my responsibility, but anything good is because of Christ. He must increase, and I must decrease.
In verses 31-33 John the Baptist was directing people to the Messiah by describing how Jesus represented the Father. Wiersbe writes that Jesus came from heaven. He represented the Father (v. 31). Jesus shared what he had seen and heard from the Father. Those who receive His witness and act on it know by personal experience that His witness is true. Christ’s teachings aren’t to be studied intellectually, separated from everyday life. It is when we obey His Word and put it into practice that we see its truth and experience its power (vv. 32-33). God sent Jesus, gave Him the Word, the Spirit and all things. To reject the Son’s witness is to rebel against the highest authority in the universe. But when we receive His witness, we share in His love and his wealth (vv. 34-35).
In conclusion, John writes in verse 36 that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” The Harvest study writer adds that “verse 36 is not simply speaking of heaven; every believer possesses that life right now! Anyone who does not believe has already been judged (v. 18), but the sentence has not yet been carried out.” Warren Wiersbe adds that “there is no neutrality. Either we trust (accept) Him or we reject Him. Everlasting life doesn’t just mean eternity in heaven. We all face eternity. The question is where will we spend it? Believers in Christ possess the ‘life of God.’ Those who do not believe in Christ are already condemned - but the sentence has not yet been executed because God is patient and He continues to call sinners to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).”
I love what Warren Wiersbe had to add in his New Testament commentary regarding having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
1) It is a living relationship that begins with new birth. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we share His very life and become children in the family of God.
2) It is a loving relationship. He is the bridegroom and we are a part of the bride. We desire that Jesus Christ increase as we decrease. He must receive all the honor and the glory.
3) It is a learning relationship. He is the faithful Witness who shares God’s truth with us. What a delight it is to receive His Word, meditate on it and make it part of our very lives.
We must never forget the cost of these blessings. For us to be born into God’s family, Jesus Christ had to die. For us to enter into the loving relationship of salvation, He had to endure the hatred and condemnation of men. He had to be lifted up on the cross so that we might experience forgiveness and eternal life. May we never take this for granted. He must increase, but I must decrease.
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