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John 3:30 - Jesus Must Increase and I Must Decrease.John 3:30 (NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.INTRODUCTION John's willingness to decrease in importance shows unusual humility. Pastors and other Christian leaders can be tempted to focus more on the success of their ministries than on Jesus. Beware of those who put more emphasis on their own achievements than on God's Kingdom. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Take Up Your Cross An Amazing Fact: The largest cross in the world is in Escoral, Spain, at the Valley of the Fallen basilica. Made entirely of stone, the cross stands 492 feet tail! Construction of the giant basilica and monument started in 1940. It took 18 years to complete and was inaugurated on April 1, 1958. It was built in honor of those who gave their lives on both sides of the fighting during the Spanish Civil War. The cross was designed by architect Diego Mendez and sits on top of a rocky cliff known as Risco de la Nava, which is 4,500 feet above sea level. With a height of 492 feet and the arms stretching out 154 feet wide, the entire cross weighs over 200,000 metric tons. Talk about a huge cross! Nobody in the world could carry such an enormous cross. In Mark 8:34, Jesus made quite a perplexing statement about another cross. He said that anyone who "desires to come after Me" must "deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.!" Jesus wasn't asking us to take up the cross in Escoral, Spain, of course, but the task of taking up our crosses might be as equally a challenging pursuit. The cross Jesus spoke of was not a cross of wood or stone or any other material. The Cross Jesus Asked Us To Carry Is The Denial Of Self And The Extinguishing Of Our Pride. And This Is, Indeed, A Hard Task Because We Are All Born With The Desire To Gratify Self Rather Than Denying It. Our Orientations Are Naturally Directed Toward Getting Our Own Way And Doing Our Own Thing. To Actually Take Up Our Crosses And Deny Ourselves Is A Daunting Task. Of course, the task becomes easier, and even a joy, when we see that Christ first took up His cross. When we see that He denied Himself, this pours contempt on our pride and we find ourselves following His lead and taking up our own crosses. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts] COMMENTARY Should the joy and exaltation and hope imparted by the Lord Jesus Christ be given to many of us, it would administer to self-esteem and pride. When Jesus is abiding in the heart by faith, the lessons which Christ has given us will be practiced. We will have such exalted views of Jesus Christ that self will be abased. Our affections will center in Jesus, our thoughts will be strongly drawn heavenward. Christ will increase, I will decrease. The mind must be trained to dwell upon heavenly things. Humility will come as the result of discerning the loveliness of Jesus Christ. Dwelling upon Christ's excellencies of character, we shall see the offensive character of sin and will by faith grasp the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We will cultivate the virtues that dwell in Jesus, that we may reflect to others a representation of His character. When we look at the cross of Calvary, we will not exalt self, but keep constantly in view our unworthiness and how much our salvation cost heaven; we will discern Christ's matchless love. Many allow their minds to dwell upon their unworthiness as though this was a virtue. It is a hindrance to their coming to Jesus in full assurance of faith. They should feel their unworthiness, and because of this - because of their sinfulness - should feel the necessity of coming to the Saviour, who is their worthiness and who will be their righteousness if they repent and humble themselves. Their unworthiness is a self-evident fact. Jesus Christ's worthiness is a sure thing. Then let every doubting soul take hope and courage, because he has One who is worthy to be his Saviour. His only hope of salvation is to lay hold by faith of a worthiness which he has not but which will be supplied by Jesus Christ our righteousness. TDG 261 CLOSING THOUGHT More Of God Every one of us has the opportunity to draw near to God. You don't need money, intellect, or a clean past. He doesn't need you to go to seminary or to offer up the largest offering, nor is He wooed by popularity or worldly influence. Instead, the Scriptures emphasize time and again that He has a heart for the lowly and the outcast - the poor, the orphan, and the widower. So what stands in the way of you and the throne of God? Often, it's pride. To know God deeply, your pride must fall. And the only thing that has a chance of taking down your pride is His love. When you learn that nothing you do can make Him love you any more or any less - that His love is constant, everlasting, and unending - your heart is inspired to draw near to God in prayer, and you truly begin to know Him. When you experience Him in full, your pride won't stand a chance. He has the power to transform you! Keep drawing near to His majesty, closer to His throne. Keep putting your pride to death by His Spirit and look up in wonder. Watch how He changes the fabric of your soul. Dear God, I ask that You would show me Your love so that my pride may fall. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY John 3:30 - Jesus Must Increase and I Must Decrease. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250422-1310.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230111-0837.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200307-1301.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190810-1420.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100505-2201.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040513-1038.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |