Friday, December 15, 2023

Advent '23 | Season of Decrease: Goodness of Growing Smaller


The Eternal King Arrives Journey Through Advent Week 2: Eternal Jubilee

"He (Jesus) must become greater;
I must become less." 
+ John the Baptizer & Forerunner
(John 3:30)

For this season of Advent, Emmaus City Church will be invited to join together in weekly reflections and homilies during our Sabbath gatherings featuring Scriptures from (RCL) Advent Year B. 

The readings for the third weekend ahead are from Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8; 19-28

We will also engage in daily reflections throughout Advent, utilizing The Eternal King Arrives. The readings from last week included:  


 The penultimate reading from this second week of Advent is featured below. Enjoy.

Week 2: Eternal Jubilee

Day 12: The Goodness of Growing Smaller
How to Trust God in a Season of Decrease
By Laura Wifler

It is never fun to feel as though you've been replaced, and John the Baptizer's disciples really didn't like it. As John and his followers were baptizing near Salim, Jesus also began baptizing in the Judean countryside nearby. Alarmed that this new teacher was enjoying more success than their own, John's disciples voiced worry to John that "everyone" was going to Jesus was to be baptized (John 3:26, CSB throughout), perhaps expecting similar indignation or a competitive response from their teacher. 

John instead showed them (and shows us) 
the beauty of gospel paradox.

His disciples feared the unexpected turn of events, but John reminds his followers of what he'd been saying all along: "I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of him" (v. 28). In fact, upon hearing the news of Jesus' success, John says his joy "is complete" (v. 29). 

John's popularity was ending. 
His success fading. 
His influence declining.

For most of us, 
this would be cause for
discouragement and envy,
yet for John, it brought joy.

This is the beautiful
paradox of the gospel.
The Christian life
is about losing to find.
Giving to gain.
Dying to live.

That means sometimes
growing smaller,
losing outward influence,
or lessening in rank
is a good thing.

John says,
"He must increase,
but I must decrease."
(John 3:30)

In a season typically associated with busyness and increase – more things to do, more things to buy, and more people to see – maybe you are in a season of decrease. You may have lost a loved one and find fewer chairs at the table. Having lost a job, your calendar may be emptier and the pile of gifts around your tree may be smaller.

Much like John's disciples, we may worry or mourn the changes. Yet just before reminding his disciples that he is not the Messiah, John reminds them that everything is a gift from God (v. 27). You see, John had a proper view of his assignment. He didn't think of himself too highly, as if he were Christ himself, but he also knew he had value and purpose in God's plan. In John 1, the author reminds the reader that John "was not the light, but he came to testify about the light" (v. 8). Christ is the "true light" (v. 9). John knew his role was important, but it wasn't the ultimate point.

During this Advent season, 
we can embrace the fact that 
any success we have 
is not of our own doing 
but is heaven's goodness 
undeservedly poured out on our lives. 
We can defer to what God has for us, 
whether he gives or takes away,
because our lives are not our own
but belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19).

No matter where we are in life, we can humbly trust the plans of the true light, and bear witness to his fame.

"The friend ... waits 
and listens for Him,
and is full of joy 
when he hears (His) voice." 
+ John the Baptizer & Forerunner
(John 3:29-30)


Here are links to other recent Advent articles:
Blessings of peace and presence for you,

Rev. Mike “Sully” Sullivan

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Location: Worcester, MA, USA

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