Day 31 of Omer

Today is day 31 of counting the Omer
Today is day 31 out of Egypt
Today is day 31 of Messiah Resurrected

Increase by Decreasing (John 3:25-36)

25 Now an argument came up between John’s disciples and a Judean concerning purification.
26 They came to John and said, “Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—look, He is immersing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but rather, ‘I am sent before Him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the best man rejoices when he stands and hears the bridegroom’s voice. So now my joy is complete!
30 He must increase, while I must decrease.”
31 The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaks. The One who comes from heaven is above all.
32 And what He has seen and heard, He testifies to that; yet no one receives His testimony.
33 Whoever receives His testimony has certified that God is true.
34 The One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Ruach without limit.
35 The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hand.
36 He who trusts in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Reflect (By Aybars Uckun):
Times change for all of us. Sometimes we will be in the spotlight and other times we will be called upon to step aside for someone else. This was the case here: John’s ministry was coming to a close, and Yeshua’s ministry was just getting started. There was no rivalry on John’s part; he had a clear vision of what God had called him to do, and he faithfully executed his task. When he was done being the harbinger of the Messiah’s coming, John had the humility to step aside and allow God’s plan to move forward. He decreased so that Yeshua could increase. How many of us can say that we’re willing to take a back seat in God’s plan? How many of us can say we’re willing to allow others to go ahead of us and be used to glorify God instead of seeking glory for ourselves? We need to keep in mind John’s words: “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from Heaven.” Those are incredible words that encapsulate the attitude of surrender that he had cultivated in his heart. He had a sensitivity to God’s Spirit and understood that God was doing a new thing, and he had the humilty to embrace it! When we choose to follow John’s example and “decrease” when God leads us to it, in reality we are elevating God. In turn, He elevates us by giving us blessings that only come when we learn to surrender to His will.

Prayer: Lord help us to understand that there are different seasons in our lives, and give us the humility to embrace them and seek You for and what You require of us in those seasons. When You call us to a different role, remind us that it is not a lesser role. We want to submit to Your will and surrender to Your call. We love You wholeheartedly and desire to serve You! Amen!