10/4/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
John the Baptizer apparently had a loyal following. They considered him to be of considerable importance. Therefore, when they had an argument with the Jews about cleansing, apparently related to the work of baptism, John’s disciples tried to defend him as someone who might be the Messiah. John remained consistent in his denial. He was not the Messiah. Rather, his disciples needed to look elsewhere, to the one he introduced. John describes himself as “the friend of the groom” at a wedding. He was the person who would make much of the one who is truly important. Jesus must increase. John must decrease.
We constantly want to make a name for ourselves. Yet the example of John is that our true desire should be to make a name for Jesus. May the Lord increase our faith.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
John the Baptizer apparently had a loyal following. They considered him to be of considerable importance. Therefore, when they had an argument with the Jews about cleansing, apparently related to the work of baptism, John’s disciples tried to defend him as someone who might be the Messiah. John remained consistent in his denial. He was not the Messiah. Rather, his disciples needed to look elsewhere, to the one he introduced. John describes himself as “the friend of the groom” at a wedding. He was the person who would make much of the one who is truly important. Jesus must increase. John must decrease.
We constantly want to make a name for ourselves. Yet the example of John is that our true desire should be to make a name for Jesus. May the Lord increase our faith.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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