The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
TOPIC: NO NEED FOR UNHEALTHY COMPETITION
TEXT: John 3:22-36
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 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—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 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. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, February 16, 2022
INTRODUCTION
John the Baptist, from the beginning, clearly stated that he was just a voice in the wilderness proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah on the scene (Matt. 3:1-3). People continued to make comments that could lead John to start competing with Jesus (vv. 25-26). John was very careful and never allowed himself to be drawn into such line of thought. He stated in verse 30, thus, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Jesus' ministry was not to compete with John to know who would baptize the more. He came purely to call men to repentance.
Many disputes and misunderstandings in the Church and the general society usually arise from people who Sow seeds of discord through comments and insinuations which sometimes are unguarded. John the Baptist, from the word go, declared his mission. Side comments or comparisons of his ministry with that of Jesus could have distracted him if he was not focused. What role are you playing in that dispute in your family, church, or office? Are you sowing seeds of discord among men of God around you by unnecessary comparisons .that can lead to unhealthy rivalry? There is no need for unnecessary competition. The sky is wide enough to contain all birds. Concentrate on your ability and area of specialization and the work will go on smoothly. Shalom!
Prayer: Every competition spirit hindering the work of God in any church be uprooted now in the name of Jesus! Amen.