The Friend of the Bridegroom

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“He [Jesus] must increase but I must decrease.”

~John 3:30 (ESV)

“A great man is always willing to be little.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson 19th Century American Author

“It was pride that changed angels into devils.”

~St. Augustine 5th Century Bishop of Hippo

“It is not particularly easy in this world to gather followers about one for a serious purpose. But when they are gathered it is infinitely harder to detach them and firmly insist that they go to another. It is the measure of John the Baptist’s greatness that he did just that.”

~Leon Morris 20th Century Australian New Testament Scholar

“And being found in human form, he [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

~Philippians 2:8 (ESV)

“If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”

~from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis 20th Century British Author

“Christ is the humility of God, embodied in human nature. The eternal love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness to win, and serve, and save us.”

~Andrew Murray South African Pastor and Writer

SERMON PASSAGE

John 3:22-36 (ESV)

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.