Context
If there is one verse in all the Bible known more universally than John 3:16, I can't imagine what it is. God loved the world and gave his Son that those who believe would have eternal life.
This great truth is part of an exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Evidently not all those who were part of the religion of the day stood in opposition to Jesus. Some, like our Nicodemus, were seekers, inquirers, interested in finding truth. Jesus always gave frustrating answers to those who looked to confound him, but to those who came to him in sincerity he gave sincere answers.
But those answers sometimes were as indecipherable as the riddles he told his enemies. "You must be born again." Those famous (infamous?) words were a simple explanation to Nicodemus about what Jesus came to do, but in his natural state there was no way that he could grasp the meaning. Born again, or to be more precise, born from above. Jesus did not come to reform human institutions, to make human religion better, or to simply show us a better way. He came to give new life. As we were born physically we would now be born spiritually. Those born spiritually would be the ones to receive eternal life. We know that Nicodemus assisted in the burial of Jesus, and church tradition says that he was a follower of Christ, but we will have to await heaven's clarity to know for sure.
The second half of the chapter serves the same purpose but from a different source. As Jesus explained his purposes to Nicodemus, so John clarified to his disciples that
This great truth is part of an exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Evidently not all those who were part of the religion of the day stood in opposition to Jesus. Some, like our Nicodemus, were seekers, inquirers, interested in finding truth. Jesus always gave frustrating answers to those who looked to confound him, but to those who came to him in sincerity he gave sincere answers.
But those answers sometimes were as indecipherable as the riddles he told his enemies. "You must be born again." Those famous (infamous?) words were a simple explanation to Nicodemus about what Jesus came to do, but in his natural state there was no way that he could grasp the meaning. Born again, or to be more precise, born from above. Jesus did not come to reform human institutions, to make human religion better, or to simply show us a better way. He came to give new life. As we were born physically we would now be born spiritually. Those born spiritually would be the ones to receive eternal life. We know that Nicodemus assisted in the burial of Jesus, and church tradition says that he was a follower of Christ, but we will have to await heaven's clarity to know for sure.
The second half of the chapter serves the same purpose but from a different source. As Jesus explained his purposes to Nicodemus, so John clarified to his disciples that
Devotional - The Best Man
The Best Man is never meant to be the center of attention or the star of the show. He simply attends to the Groom and helps him. John the Baptist was Jesus' Best Man. Look at John 3:29
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.
John had a great following, but now Jesus' star was rising and some might have expected John to be jealous, to criticize Jesus for stealing his spotlight. Not a chance. John was thrilled that Jesus was on the scene. When the bridegroom's voice was speaking, the friend rejoiced! He knew his place and his purpose. He was there to give glory and honor to the Son of God, to prepare the way of the Lord.
In verse 30, John made a factual statement, but one that stands as one of the great life mottoes any man has ever devised.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
That is the key to life. As I walk through this life there needs to be more of Jesus and less of Dave. Oh, that's literal of course. I still need to drop a BUNCH of weight. But spiritually, I need to become less and less like who I am in my natural state and more and more like Christ. More of Christ, less of me. I will always be me. My identity, my personality. That's okay. Jesus loves me! But that "me" needs to become less like the old me and more like Jesus. He must increase in me. My fleshly instincts and attitudes, they must decrease.
Father, may the world see more of you, more of Christ in me today, in my this year.
Think and Pray about It
Have you experienced the New Birth? Too many people approach Christianity as simply a means of self improvement, trying to become a "better me." That is a path to failure. You must be born again, born from heaven by the grace of God, when you trust Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. If you have not experienced this new, heavenly birth, turn to Christ today.
For those who are in Christ, examine your life and heart. Is your life about Jesus or about you? John knew that he existed to serve the Savior and that "he must increase."
Is Jesus becoming more and more the dominant force in your life daily?
For those who are in Christ, examine your life and heart. Is your life about Jesus or about you? John knew that he existed to serve the Savior and that "he must increase."
Is Jesus becoming more and more the dominant force in your life daily?
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