Thoughts for the Day

The One Who Comes from Heaven

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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Tony Incenzo, a dedicated football fan, recently completed his 'life ambition' of visiting every non-league football ground in England. It took 45 years to complete, attending his last game on 6th April this year. He told his fans that he could remember every ground and every match attended by looking at the programmes he had collected. I decided he must have a photographic memory!

Well despite reading the whole of the Bible a good few times and the Gospels hundreds of times, looking at today's Gospel reading threw me! Who is speaking? It sounds like Jesus, but it's not! Indeed if I had looked at the verse before this passage I would have realised who was saying: "He must increase, but I must decrease." The speaker is John the Baptist who is talking of Jesus to his own disciples. The passage is about John's recognition of Jesus as the Son of God and the importance of believing in Jesus to receive eternal life. John the Baptist fully recognises the divine authority of Jesus.

As Easter people we know how the story of the two cousins was to play out, leading to the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus. We can also see that human limitations ("The one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.") are contrasted with Jesus’ divine perspective ("The one who comes from heaven is above all."). This little passage should remind us to seek wisdom from Jesus, for Christ should be our ultimate guide in life. We need to learn to let His love and His peace shine through our daily lives, so that we can begin to reflect His love in every task we undertake.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we Your people seek Your wisdom
in all that lies ahead of us.
Help us to turn to You as naturally
as a small child turns to parental authority,
and listen for Your guidance
concerning the small decisions we make today.
Amen.