After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized—John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.
Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.John 3:22-36
Sitting in the audience, watching a child perform, or, on the bleachers as they compete, is one of life's great joys. It doesn't matter if they are the best or if they win. It matters that they show up and do their best. Watching them is sheer joy, in their beauty and their imperfection. When we love others, we find joy in their being, their breathing, their reality. A friend, a parent, a spouse - we all rejoice when we see our beloved thrive.
John is testifying about Jesus when tested by religious leaders. He is always straight forward and intense. His message is clear. Loving friends, know the true value of their friends and family, and know true joy in that loving. The religious leaders wanted to spread doubt. They were responded to with deep, abiding and fierce love. We are invited to be fiercely faithful and loving, for there we find true joy.
Today I ask God to help me be fiercely loving and fully faithful. May wefind joy as we love others completely and follow Jesus by giving ourselves away.
Sitting in the audience, watching a child perform, or, on the bleachers as they compete, is one of life's great joys. It doesn't matter if they are the best or if they win. It matters that they show up and do their best. Watching them is sheer joy, in their beauty and their imperfection. When we love others, we find joy in their being, their breathing, their reality. A friend, a parent, a spouse - we all rejoice when we see our beloved thrive.
John is testifying about Jesus when tested by religious leaders. He is always straight forward and intense. His message is clear. Loving friends, know the true value of their friends and family, and know true joy in that loving. The religious leaders wanted to spread doubt. They were responded to with deep, abiding and fierce love. We are invited to be fiercely faithful and loving, for there we find true joy.
Today I ask God to help me be fiercely loving and fully faithful. May wefind joy as we love others completely and follow Jesus by giving ourselves away.
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