The Pharisees wanted to insinuate resentment between John Baptist and Jesus Christ, and they approached John with tricky questions. The Pharisee said, “Rabbi, He (Jesus) who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” (John 3:26). Meanwhile, John a servant of God bluntly told the Pharisees that he could not be compared with Jesus – because Jesus was his superior. John stated about Jesus,
“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him’” (John 3:27-28). John also told the Pharisees, “He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31).
Lesson:
Humility is better than pride. Humility brings honor but pride brings shame. All children of God are required to be humble. We are mandated to demonstrate a humble heart like Jesus Christ who had all power at his disposal but yet remained humbled till the point of death so that he could save the lost sinners.
Prayer:
Dear God, please give me the grace to remain humble to you at all times. Do not let me be arrogant, and do let me claim superiority over others. Do not let me arrogate your glory to myself, and do not let me give your due honor to someone else. Fill and energize me with your Holy Spirit to do pleasant things in your presence at all times. Also, let your Holy Spirit assist me to treat other people with respect so that they can be challenged to praise your holy name. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
