Scripture Union Daily Guide 9 January 2024 – “He Must Become Greater, I Must Become Less.”

Scripture Union Daily Guide 9 January 2024 – “He Must Become Greater, I Must Become Less.”

Scripture Union Daily Guide 9 January 2024

Read Scripture Union Daily Guide 9 January 2024 , Tuesday SU Daily Guide Reading

Topic: “He Must Become Greater, I Must Become Less.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, let the light of your word shine into my life as I meditate on your word.

Today’s Scripture: John 3:22-36

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.

34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Question(s) for Reflection
• Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?

DAILY GUIDE 9 JANUARY 2024 OUTLINE BELOW:

Let us begin by recalling the last point we made yesterday. See how v.36 repeats the message of vs.17-18.

In the competitive world we all inhabit, the normal aim is for us to become greater and for others to become less. The story is told of how an angel once appeared to a certain man and promised to give him anything he asked. However, his neighbour would receive double. He immediately asked to be given one blind eye! John the Baptist was not like that and certainly not in relation to Jesus Christ. Far from seeing himself in competition with the Messiah, he recognised his position which he described with a fitting analogy in v.29. Notice how he described Jesus Christ in vs.31, 32 and 33.

There is an interesting description of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in v.34. For us, our experience of the Holy Spirit is limited because we are not fully open to receiving Him in all His fullness in our lives. For Jesus Christ, however, the situation is different.

• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer
Read James 4:10 and use it as a basis for your prayer today.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 24:4 ‐ 6

One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 9 – Job 21-23

Scripture Union Daily Guide 9 January 2024 Devotional. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.