Stephan Hoffman

He must become greater; I must become less.’  John 3:30 (NIV)

The Pharisee, Nicodemus, came to Jesus at night, maybe to avoid anyone seeing him. Jesus tells Nicodemus something of the wonder that occurs when God from above, through the Holy Spirit, enables you to be made new (born again) and see the kingdom of God. It is interesting to note how light and darkness, day and night, blindness and vision are contrasted in this passage.

Jesus then says these well-known words to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (v16).  So well-known in fact that perhaps, we no longer hear them.  To think that the Almighty God of heaven and earth, loves you so much that he sacrificed his precious Son to save you. If you understand that, then you know something of the heart of God that will change your own perspective, your heart and your actions too.

John the Baptist saw some of the overall picture. His followers came and told him that Jesus (or his disciples) was also baptising people in the Judean countryside and that the people were all flocking to him. That did not make John jealous or envious but joyful (v29). He saw himself as the ”friend of the bridegroom” who is overjoyed at the sound of the bridegroom’s voice. He knew that God had sent Jesus. John the Baptist expresses the right attitude with the words: He must become greater; I must become less.

We are so privileged to know more about the true identity of Jesus than Nicodemus and even John the Baptist realised at that stage. As believers, we can experience the miracle of God above, moulding us through his Spirit. We have a greater perspective, which stretches beyond the limitations of this world. Together we can witness with John the Baptist: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you that through Jesus Christ you redeemed me from sin and death. Thank you that you are transforming me to a new person through the working of the Holy Spirit. Help me please to look beyond the darkness of my circumstances and see something of your kingdom. Amen