As babies, when we cry, someone tends to our needs. Parents move heaven and earth to feed us, clothe us, house us, educate us, bring us to sporting events, you name it. We make decisions about US. We do things to make US happy. We choose a school and major and a job that suits US. We pick a church that fits OUR needs. We live in a house that WE like.
It sure seems like it's all about us.
But it isn't.
John 3:22-30
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:22-30
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
Here's the scene. John the Baptist is doing his job, baptizing people who wish to repent of their sins. But then he is told that Jesus and His disciples are also baptizing people. Now at this point you might wonder what John's reaction might be to what some might consider to be a "rival" ministry. How would you feel if you kind of had the market on something, and you were doing a good job with it, and then all of a sudden someone better than you comes along and starts doing your thing?
In sports, it could be a new underclassman who is just a little bit faster than you, a little bit more skilled. At work, it could be a new employee who gets work done a little more efficiently, can handle a little bit bigger workload than you. How would that make you feel?
In team sports, there's only so much playing time to go around. Every minute one player is in is a minute another player is not. The coach at Conn College, one of the schools recruiting our daughter Abby to play basketball, told her that he has no problem playing freshmen. And if you're good enough, you can play right away. Awesome, right? What a blessing to get the opportunity to play the first moment you don the uniform. But what happens if you're a sophomore or junior or senior and a new player comes along who is better than you and gets your playing time?
In the first instance, it's easy to be thankful to God for His provision and His grace and His blessing. But what do your prayers look like when things are flipped around? Do you now pray, "Oh God, why is this happening to me? Why are you taking this from me?" These prayers often reflect that we see the world through the lens of....US.
How much of your attitude and perspective is all about you?
John here points out at the end of this section a phrase that we need to have seared into our brains and into our hearts. Some translations render it this way: He must increase, but I must decrease. As hard as it is to believe, we exist for His purpose and His pleasure, not for our own. Our life will be more full of peace and joy if we recognize this and seek to increase Him and decrease ourselves, and to remember why we're here in the first place.
Discussion
1. What is your reaction to the idea that your own life is not about you? How does that hit you?
2. Think about your prayer life. What are the things you tend to pray for? Do they tend to be you-centered more often than not? Why?
3. How often do you rejoice at the success of others? What if that success comes at your expense?
4. What are some ways we can rationalize or justify an "It's all about me" perspective?
5. What would it look like in your life to let Christ increase while you decrease? Any tangible changes? What would it look like in your sport to apply this?
6. Mark 8:35-37 - "35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
What do these two verses say about this topic? In what way can you say that these passages reflect where you are at?
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