Lenten Devotional for March 6, 2009

www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
March 6th
John 3:22-36

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized- John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.

Now a discussion about purification arose between John's disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.' John answered, 'No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, "I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him." He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.'

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

Perhaps all who volunteer in ministry at MCCGSL have been touched by the Baptist! Maybe they are part of his legacy. They "speak the word of God, for God" as God's messengers.

Some open the door and welcome us in from a cold morning so that we may meet God in worship. Some lift our hearts high as they sing so that we may more readily and joyfully join them in praise. Some welcome us as "special guests" to God's house the first time we venture in. Some offer our minds and hearts sustenance in their preaching or testifying. Some offer our bellies warm coffee and ease us into conversation and fellowship.

And then their role ends and they merge back into the congregation. It is not about them, just as it was not about John the Baptist. md