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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading in John Chapter 3 at verse 27 and studying the significance of these words and their practical application for faith and life. John explains to his own men – A man can only receive what God has given him from heaven. It is God the Father Who is raising up this ministry along the river. It is God Who has given Him all these people. Jesus was along the river and it looked as if he was drawing bigger crowds than John and John’s disciples appeared to regard this as a bit of competition.
If God moves the people along the river to another place, that is His Work.
There is a lesson here from John. Hear what John is teaching. We must not talk too much about our work and our ministry, and what we have been doing in this part of the river, or in this part of the vineyard.
Sometimes, God moves on to work elsewhere and if it is along the river, then we have to learn to move with Him and flow with Him.
Think of Jesus’ word later on. If we try to save our life, we can lose it. This was a massive change – a massive transformation.
Was it not also a massive change when Peter went to the Gentiles? God calls us to flow with Him, but also to know when it is God, and when it is false.
Nicodemus was prepared to lose his reputation as religious leader, and prepared to forego his so-called prominent position, and ready to sacrifice everything for Jesus Christ. He wanted to receive what Jesus had to give.
It is an unwise man who will not give up what he cannot keep, to receive what he cannot lose.
It is God Who raises up His men. It is God Who places people where they can minister and it is God who anoints with power.
Verse 28. Do you not remember what I said? You yourselves can testify that I said I am not the Christ. I am sent to prepare the way for His coming. The bride belongs to the bridegroom and the friend of the bridegroom just stands at the side, not in the centre and not in the limelight, but waiting and listening to His voice, and rejoicing when he hears the voice of the bridegroom.
My joy is full because I have heard the bridegroom’s voice, and He is just along the river, and His Name is Jesus.
The bride belongs to Jesus. I am just the friend. I am just the best man standing alongside. Today the best man looks after the bridegroom, but in those days his job was to get the bride safely to the bridegroom.
I am responsible for getting people as clean and pure and holy as I can and getting them along to the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. My ministry is to keep the bride safe from sinful men, and to present her to Christ, and then to stand aside.
Verse 30. He must become greater; I must become less. He must increase but I must decrease.
If the people are leaving me and going along to Jesus, I am thrilled and filled with joy. This is such profound and essential teaching to come from the lips of John.
It would have been a tragedy if the best man had been so fond of the bride that he would not hand her over to the bridegroom. Of course, today, as pastors and teachers and leaders we are not only preparing the bride for Christ, but we are part of the bride too.
With John there is no sour grapes, and no personal hurt. My ministry is almost over. I have done what God has sent me to do. John was at the peak of his career, but he knew who Jesus was and John knew that he was only a voice. John knew the needs of the people and John knew that God has called him and sent him, but more importantly John knew who Jesus was. John knew that it was time to step aside and allow Jesus Christ to be in the centre, which is His rightful place so that he can give light and life.
This is a major problem when Christians attempt to become involved in what are called multi-faith services. Where do they want to place Jesus? Are some going to ask Him to stand aside or even wait outside? That is a very real and highly serious danger!
If John’s own sun was setting, the light to lighten the Gentiles was beginning to rise and shine.
John was a man of the earth. My experience is limited. The One along the river, He comes from heaven. His mercy and power and grace are unlimited. He has seen and heard things first hand. He speaks the very words of God. He is full of the Holy Spirit. He is the Son of God. The Father loves Him and has given all things into His hands. John was consistent and so faithful to the whole truth.
He who believes in Jesus has everlasting life. He who does not believe in Jesus but rejects Jesus shall not see life, but will experience the wrath and anger and judgment of God.
He must increase. Go along to Him. His work must grow. It is He Who will build the Church. He must increase in every way.
What a theme, as John prepares to stand aside and hand over everything to Jesus Christ.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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