Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Opening Scripture

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

Opening Prayer

I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me; but I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee. Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious, bleeding side. Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine. Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope and my will be lost in thine. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 3:22-36

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.)

An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Reflection  

The crowds were gathering, and things were heating up in the Judean countryside! John the Baptist and his disciples had established an effective baptism ministry in an area with plenty of water. Now, in addition to challenge and opposition from the Jewish authorities, a new baptism ministry had set up nearby… “and everyone is going to him!”

John’s disciples felt threatened by the competition. John reminded them of what he had previously said: Jesus is the real “star of the show.” Jesus is the promised Messiah. John was merely a forerunner, preparing the way of the Lord. He is a friend of the Bridegroom, who had finally arrived, and John’s joy was now complete.

One of the most profound and insightful statements ever made is in verse 30: “He must become greater; I must become less.” That really is the crux of this whole thing! Every day, our prayer should be for Jesus to gain ground in our lives.

The final verse in today’s passage is what John declared in his first letter: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12).

Flourishing Habit

Meaning and Purpose

Throughout history, there have been individuals and groups so focused on what they were doing forGod that they missed what God was actually doing. Certainly, the Pharisees were an example of this. But what about us?

John the Baptist was clearly more interested in Jesus and what He was doing than he was in protecting the ministry that John and his disciples had established. John realized that God was doing a new thing – in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies – and John was eager to get in on it.

The ability to rejoice in someone else’s ministry success reflects a “kingdom perspective.” The ability to turn loose of what we’ve been doing so we can get in on a new thing God is doing reflects a “kingdom perspective.”

When we pledge our allegiance to King Jesus, we become citizens of His kingdom. We orient ourselves to His cause and commit ourselves to His purposes. And He reserves the right to alter our assignment at any time in order to accomplish His plan.

As our Opening Scripture reminds us, religious activity is no substitute for personal relationship! Our primary purpose is to stay intimately connected to Jesus so we can know and do His will.

What will you do today so that Jesus will become “greater” in your life?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!