Above and Below

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Above and Below

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.

John 3:31

John the Baptist seemed to know something very early on that others didn’t. It really makes me wonder sometimes the knowledge that John had that he either didn’t share out loud or that simply wasn’t recorded. When he states that what is from above is above all, he seems to know something about the Messiah that no one else does. John knows that he is just a human, from the earth below and therefore can only speak earthly thoughts but the Messiah will be from above and be above all.

Later in his speech he speaks about the Father and the Son. Now it can be that John the disciple is putting words into John the Baptists mouth but one has to ask why he would do that. There is no need as John the disciple could write this himself without having it be a quote from John the Baptist. So I assume here that John the Baptist indeed said these words.

It makes me think of how the world works. We read the Bible and know these beautiful truths from God and yet so many people in the world have no idea. What a strange thing that is. Something so important and life changing and yet not everyone seems to know or wants to know about it.

In the end, this strange thing of our day actually confirms the words of John. We are earthly and so our words are also earthly and limited. We don’t know all the secrets of the universe or of God. And even when we do know things, we can sometimes find it hard to speak about and share with others.

Jesus, the Messiah that John the Baptist was speaking of here in this verse, is something wholly different. He wasn’t from below but from above. That means he knew all things and could speak all things. You never see Jesus in a bind to explain something in the gospels. Religious leaders and experts in the law could never trap him. He spoke and people listened. He gave people the best chance to understand.

If only we could have the same words and ability… Well actually we can. You see everything Jesus did, he did through the Holy Spirit. It was God speaking through the Spirit that came out of Jesus mouth. And that is something we too can have.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:12-13

We might not be from above but we can be filled with a Spirit who is from above. Let us use the gift of the Spirit to also have words that can truly make a difference.

Blessings
Pr. Steven Couto

Lose Yourself

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Lose Yourself

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

John the Baptist never got many breaks. There is a reason why Jesus calls him the least in the kingdom of heaven:

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:11

It’s a very strange statement. Jesus calls him the greatest and least in the same breath. He is the least because he is born with nothing, lives with nothing and died with nothing, alone and headless. Yet Jesus recognizes his greatness because John experiences all of that while still pressing forward and accomplishing his goal. He is one of the greatest victims which gives him one of the greatest victories.

The secret to all of his greatness, even in the face of such hardships, is found in today’s verse. John new his place and he knew his role. He was not the Messiah but was simply preparing the way for the true Messiah. That mission would never lead to exaltation. That role would always remain in the shadows.

That reality is hard for many people. As humans we like power, popularity and exaltation. We like people saying our name with love. Every interview with singers expresses this point. Even those who don’t like to be center stage still relish in being mentioned and thanked for a job well done.

We like to be recognized and having that ‘decrease’ is not something we like to go through. Somehow John accepted and even thrived with that reality. Even when he questioned Jesus as to whether he was the true Christ, it was less about his suffering and more in his possible failure of his mission.

That brings this message now to us. Are you scared that perhaps Jesus want you to decrease as well? Is there a hesitation sometimes because we feel that perhaps we will lose respect, power or position? Are we sometimes more focused on ourselves than on Christ even when it comes to ministry?

There is much to be gained by studying the life of John the Baptist. His character and drive is something we can all gain in copying. May we find peace and even joy in decreasing while Christ increases in our lives.

Blessings

Pr. Steven Couto

Where’s Your Joy

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Where’s Your Joy

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.

John 3:25-26

Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a metaphor, parable and illustration. This is done for several reasons. The first is that everyone, especially in those days would understand what a marriage is. They were community events and few would be left out. Secondly, they were times of great joy and love and it’s those two things that are almost always the focus of the illustration when marriage is mentioned. There are few things in this world that have that level of joy and love. In this parable, the focus is also love and joy but in a very interesting way.

Usually the joy and love that is focused on in marriage illustrations is the one that exists between husband and wife. Here however the focus is on the groomsman. Except for some free food and drink, the groomsman really doesn’t gain anything in a wedding, not like the groom who gains a wife. And yet the groomsman seems just as happy as the groom many times. Although the groom is happy for what he is gaining, this being a personal joy, the joy of the groomsman is a joy that is focused on the groom, joy for another.

John the Baptist is putting himself in the place of the groomsman. With this story he is making it clear that even though the attention is leaving him, he is in great joy that Jesus is gaining attention. His joy is not for self but for the other, Jesus. He even goes on to say that his joy is fulfilled. That of course points to his common assertions that he was not the Christ but was preparing the way for the Christ. He was joyful because he saw his purpose being fulfilled in the true Christ.

Where does our joy come from? Are you only happy when you are the groom or bride? Do you need to gain for happiness to be in your heart or can you find joy in what others gain. In German, there is a word called Schadenfreude. This word roughly translated is the joy you feel in the suffering of others. This is why falling and accident videos on social media are so popular. This type of joy is the exact opposite of what John experienced.

So where does your joy come from. Is it from Schadenfreude or is it from seeing people succeed and win? Which one should you have and which one should you develop in your life?

As you go through your day, try and note where your joys are experienced. You may learning something in yourself that you need to change or develop.

Blessings
Pr. Steven Couto

Dispute among Disciples

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Dispute among Disciples

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!”

John 3:25-26

Jealousy is one of the root sins. Jealousy is a catalyst in so many other sins that exist in this world and is one of the first one’s that Lucifer felt as he transformed into Satan. Looking at others and comparing while at the same time coveting what they have is a power emotion that can get the best of us, even when we don’t want to.

Here we see the disciples of John being jealous of Jesus’ disciples. It seems that they believed that they had a monopoly when it came to baptism and didn’t like the fact that others were doing it. Perhaps they felt the push of popularity weaning and saw the surging of influence from Jesus. Perhaps they didn’t like or understand Jesus’ messages. Perhaps it was simply a case of us vs them. Whatever the reason, John’s response is very interesting.

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.’

John 3:27-28

Interestingly you don’t see the same jealousy in John that you see in his disciples. So they weren’t getting it from him. In fact he says that even what he had was not from himself. It was all from God and if He was choosing another person to lead, then he would not try and fight that. John knew his place and his purpose.

‘I am not the Christ.’ Is probably the most telling part. It suggests that his disciples thought he was. As the Christ of course as they saw it, numbers were essential. The Christ was going to be the human King who unites Israel and conquers Rome. Numbers would be very important in something like that.

And that for me is the most important element when talking about jealousy. It almost never truly makes sense. Their jealousy was based on a false truth they held both in what the Christ was and in who John was. Their feeling in the matter had no purpose. We too can fall into the same false ideas. We build jealous thoughts on truths that only exist between our ears.

Let us seek for truth and have the character of John. Let us know our place in this world and accept what God has for us.

Blessings
Pr. Steven Couto

Religious Competition

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Religious Competition

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.

John 3:22-24

There is nothing that confuses me more than when people or organizations within the same church begin to compete with each other. I wish I could say that it is as rare as a blue moon but unfortunately I find it happens much more often than it should.

I remember when I was still studying theology in Alberta and a new student came up to me who was also taking theology. Before even asking for my name, he asked how many people I had baptized already. Before I could even think of an answer to such an odd introductory question, he went off to say all the amazing things he had already done back home and how many people he had taken to baptism. Now, not being one to judge someone harshly right off the bat, I took it as someone who was simply passionate about ministry and amazed at what God had done with him already but it didn’t take long throughout the year that it wasn’t the case.

This young man didn’t see the blessing and miracle of someone giving his life to God in baptism but only another notch in his belt to prove to himself ad others that he was superior to them. Needless to say, he is no longer in the ministry or baptizing. Someone with that competitive spirit within the church rarely lasts very long.

We also know that Jesus’ disciples and those of John also saw each other as rivals. They compared and complaining at how many the other was baptizing. They were going down the wrong path but John and Jesus had the right spirit.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

John wasn’t baptizing people to be better than anyone, especially not Jesus. Jesus too did not distort what baptism was and even went to John to get baptized.

The work of God is not a competition and it’s not about yourself. You are simply a tool used by God, one of many. Most of the time God actually wants the tools to work in harmony to get the full effect of the work. Let us not compete or fight with one another when we have the same goals.

Blessings

Pr. Steven Couto

Practicing Evil

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Practicing Evil

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

John 3:20-21

Are people intrinsically good or are they evil? That is a question that people have argued for generations. The Bible says we are born in sin but also that we were created in the image of God. Now there will be those that point to that image being before the fall but it still begs the questions, sin has distorted that image but by how much? Is there nothing left of good in us when we are born in this world?

What’s interesting about verse 20 is that it jumps over that question and get to what really matters. Whether we are born good or evil, it is those who practice sin who really are in trouble. Those who hate the light are the ones who are in danger of eternal condemnation.

Verse 21 is also very interesting because it says that it is possible to do the truth and then go towards the light. Truth can be found and converted into a good action before walking towards the light and I would assume that this is possible through the Holy Spirit.

In both cases choice is the key. We are born into sin, yes, but that doesn’t take away the choice or ability to do good or truth as its stated here. Through the Holy Spirit, even before going to God through your choice, you can already chose to do good and see how different it is to evil.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:8

It is through this blessing that everyone, even the worst among us can still have a choice to go to the light. It is because of this that we have to be so careful in how we judge, and worse prejudge, someone around us. Yes, maybe that person is in the darkness. Yes, maybe they don’t anything to do with the light and with our human eyes we see only an impossibility. But with God nothing is impossible. By allowing them to do an act of good, even in the darkness, they can taste and see what God has for them. Even in the darkest corners, God can work on our hearts.

Let us never give up on anyone.

Blessings

Pr. Steven Couto

The Believer

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The Believer

The Condemning Condemner

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John 3:16 Part 4

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John 3:16 Part 4
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

That whoever believes in Him… Belief is such a tricky thing. It can change with time especially
as someone experiences different things in life. A strong belief can crumble with a disappointment or
difficulty but the opposite can also occur. Sometimes we also have a follow belief. We think we believe
until put to the test. Belief is central to our Christian experience and yet it’s something that we all struggle
with throughout our lives.

So what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Is it believing that he existed and actually walked on
this earth? Is it believing that he is the Son of God? Is it believing that he died on the cross and took our
sins? Is it believing that he’ll come again? Of course many people will say that it is all of those things. If
so, how do you build belief in those things? What can you do every day to be more firm in all those
things?

We know that it’s not just miracles, though they can have their place in helping, because Jesus
would refuse to do them to those asking for them. And several times the miracles did nothing to change
people’s minds.

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign
will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Matthew 12:38-39

Reading the scriptures also has its place but is not the end all of gaining belief. Those who
rejected Jesus most were the well learned scholars and experts in the law. The words of Moses and the
prophets seemed to do little is growing belief.

Miracles and reading the Bible have their place but will always fall short without prayer and the
building of relationship with Jesus. Like Joshua crossing the sea, you must take that first step towards
God for the belief to grow.

14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing
the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the
feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its
banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still,
and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went
down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over
opposite Jericho.
Joshua 3:14-16

Growing belief is a journey and one that we have to take seriously. It should be a daily goal.
Blessings

Pr. Steven Couto

John 3:16 Part 3

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John 3:16 Part 3

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

He gave His only begotten Son … Well no one saw that one coming. God, who repeatedly is called one is now proclaiming to have a divine son and more, He will be sacrificing him for our salvation. The Jewish nation believed the Messiah would be a man from the descendent of David but there are a few Old Testament verses that point towards a Son.

7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

Psalm 2:7-8

Psalm 2 is just one such verse, but like the others that exist, it is a verse that can be interpreted to humans as well. In the end, it is the words and actions of Jesus when the belief relies. He did what no simple human could. Jesus himself is the proof of his claim.

People often misunderstand the idea of the only begotten son. Taken literally it means the first to be born however we can see in the Bible that there is a spiritual more important meaning.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”

Hebrew 11:17-18

Here Isaac is called ‘his only begotten son’ but we know that Isaac was neither the only nor the first, Ishmael being the older son. But Isaac is given that title because it carries the biblical promise of the Savior. It is because of that promise that Jesus is given the same title. He is the true fulfilment of the promise of the Savior.

It was hard for Jesus to be accepted as the Son of God when he was on the earth. Even his own followers struggled to accept that truth. But we today have the whole Bible to teach us and there is no excuse to not believe.

Blessings

Pr. Steven Couto