John 3:30

I've been musing over a great passage in Scripture this week. In our housegroup, we've been working through the Gospel of John. The first few chapters speak of Jesus' ministry, and how he was reaching out into a community that so needed him. It personally struck me that there is also a unique message to be learned from the relationship between Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist. Have a look at this passage:

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.

It struck me that John had it all. Indeed he had to go to a new site of water that was large enough for his increased ministry. It is however amazing that he is prepared to give it all up, at the pinnacle of his missionary success, for the one that is greater than him. I guess that we have to do that everyday; just as we begin to believe in our success (evangelistic or not), we must remember where that success has come from, the one who must become greater.

Zeal

Just discovered an amazing orchestral piece by the composer John Adams. The music is over-played by a sermon. The words are below, and the script reflects the motivations of Adams, as certain phrases keep repeating themselves. Check it out...

I believe that. And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, right here in this room, right now. Right now. I believe that. And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, right here in this room, right now. Right now. And he wants to meet every need. Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus have been drawn to a withered hand, healing all that were oppressed of the devil? I believe that. And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, why would-- Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, right here in this room, right now. And he wants to meet every need. Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus have been drawn to a withered hand? And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that. And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, right now. Right now. Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus been drawn to a withered hand of a man who was in the synagogue? Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus -- Right here in this room, right now -- And he wants to meet every need. Why would Jesus been drawn to a withered hand of a man who was in the synagogue? Jesus Christ not only healed this man in the synagogue that had the withered hand, but I believe this very same story has a message for you and me even down here in this year in which we live. Now I believe Jesus Christ not only healed this man in the synagogue that had the withered hand -- And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus been drawn to a withered hand of a man who was in the synagogue? But I believe this very same story has a message for you and me even down here in which we live. Jesus knew all about that. They said, "Who can forgive sins but God?" But God? But God? They said, "But God?" They said, "Who can forgive sins but God?" Then he said, "Take up your bed and walk." But God? Then he said, "Take up your bed and walk." Forgive sins but God? Then he said, "Take up your bed and walk."Now I believe Jesus Christ not only healed this man in the synagogue who had the withered hand, but I believe this very same story has a message for you and me even down here in this year in which we live. Then he said, "Take up your bed and walk." And I believe that same Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit, right here in this room, right now. Right now. Right now. And he wants to meet every need. Now what's wrong with the withered hand? Why would Jesus been drawn to a withered hand? Why would Jesus been drawn to a withered hand -- drawn to a withered hand -- of a man that was in the synagogue? To a withered hand of a man that was in a synagogue? Well, a withered hand can't hold on to anything. Jesus coming -- Jesus moved -- Jesus moved about with his divine appointment. Jesus is here, and this place is packed with people standing outside, and Jesus walks in. Jesus always moves with divine appointment, and he had an appointment: someone that had a withered hand and if they could hold --