25 A discussion arose between some of Yochanan’s talmidim and a Judean about ceremonial washing; 26 and they came to Yochanan and said to him, “Rabbi, you know the man who was with you on the other side of the Yarden, the one you spoke about? Well, here he is, immersing; and everyone is going to him!” 27 Yochanan answered, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from Heaven. 28 You yourselves can confirm that I did not say I was the Messiah, but that I have been sent ahead of him. 29 The bridegroom is the one who has the bride; but the bridegroom’s friend, who stands and listens to him, is overjoyed at the sound of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must become more important, while I become less important.
Christmas WeekdayThis joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.(John 3:29-30)
Have you ever watched the finale of the Tour de France bike race? The winner of the race often poses victoriously in a yellow shirt in front of an immense crowd of fans. Considering that the tour is composed of 21 different stages that cover more than 2,200 miles of challenging terrain, this is indeed a great accomplishment!
What is sometimes forgotten, though, is that the winner would have never won if it weren’t for his team of riders who selflessly support him throughout the whole race. These riders are world-class racers in their own right, but their task is to help the lead rider win. They often ride in front of him to block out the wind and sprint back and forth from the support van to get food and drink for him. They would even give him their bikes if his had mechanical issues. Their goal is to use their speed, endurance, and talents to bring someone else to victory.
Perhaps this is similar to how John the Baptist felt when people asked him why Jesus was becoming more popular than he was. John showed that he humbly accepted the role God had given him: to be a member of Jesus’ “support team.” He knew that his role was to point people to the Messiah, not to himself. And so he was delighted to see Jesus winning hearts and gaining followers!
What about you? You are a member of Jesus’ support team just as much as John the Baptist was. Your gifts, talents, and life experiences are all valuable tools that you can use to help Jesus complete the race that was set out for him by his Father. Your warmth and wit, your kindness and generosity, even your stubbornness and determination—you can use all of these to win people over to him so that his Church can continue to grow. So don’t discount yourself; you are an important part of Jesus’ winning team!
“Lord, I want to help you win every race—every soul. Thank you for making me a part of your support team. Now teach me how to use my talents to help you win the victory over fear and unbelief!” Amen!
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — then we know that we have what we have asked from him.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he will ask; and God will give him life for those whose sinning does not lead to death. There is sin that does lead to death; I am not saying he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that everyone who has God as his Father does not go on sinning; on the contrary, the Son born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment, so that we may know who is genuine; moreover, we are united with the One who is genuine, united with his Son Yeshua the Messiah. He is the genuine God and eternal life.
21 Children, guard yourselves against false gods!
Psalm 149:1 Halleluyah!
Sing to Adonai a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2 Let Isra’el rejoice in their maker,
let Tziyon’s children take joy in their king.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
make melody to him with tambourine and lyre;
4 for Adonai takes delight in his people,
he crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the faithful exult gloriously,
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats,
but a two-edged sword in their hands
9 to execute the judgments decreed for them;
for this will glorify all his faithful.
Halleluyah!
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