Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
February 10, AD 2023
John 3:25-36
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.
In the name of the Father and the +Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The best man is delighted to hear the voice of the groom. John the Baptist always confessed that he was not the Christ. He was the pointing prophet, “Look, behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” He freely confessed to the religious establishment when they came to him in the wilderness at the Jordan, “I am not the Christ.” The same thing he does here. His work is complete as he prepared the way for the Lord. What was his goal? That all people would see the salvation of our God. Indeed, the Salvation of from our God has come. The Christ goes forth to fulfill the Father’s will. He is crucified for the sins of the world. Jesus tells us that when he is lifted up, he will draw all men to himself. He dies for all. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. You have been made a child of God. John’s joy is complete and soon ours will be, too. Thanks be to God for his Word among us. In the name of +Jesus. Amen.
StarboCho 