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
O Bountiful Lord of all good gifts
you have brought us to this new morning
warm or cool, fretting or calmly resting
we are enveloped in your loving arms.
We have been tossed and battered
in a tumultuous year barely half gone
the storms and infections keep coming
and we cannot hope for the future yet.
John understood that each has a season
baptizing and preparing the way for another
he stepped back for love's holy sake
helping to birth a new life and new way.
Let us be humble and so sure like John
help us tell the story of God's love
the hurting and exhausted surround us
let us be their road to joy and hope again. Amen
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