"And this was his message: 'After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.'"
(Mark 1:7)
"He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30)

Mark 1:1-8;
John 3:22-36
Missionary and martyr Jim Elliot penned these famous words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” He lived out and later died confirming this. While Elliot’s words and life were inspiring, many Christians still struggle to hold onto that which they cannot keep, and their lives bear little of the kind of fruit that God intends for them to bear.


John the Baptist had a huge following of people who heard his message of repentance and came to him to be baptized. God sent John to prepare the way for Christ by calling men and women to turn from their sin. John told them that he would baptize them with water for repentance, but that One would come to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. His life and ministry were meant to fade so that those repentant souls would give their lives to Jesus. John had to become less, and Christ had to become greater. He gave up what he could not keep – his following and his life – to gain what he could not lose – the fruit of repentance and faith of many.



Scripture Focus

Mark 1:1-8;
John 3:22-36

Insight

What are you holding onto that you cannot keep? Open your hands to God and receive the gift of Christ that you can never lose.

Bible In A Year

  • Ezekiel 19-20
  • Psalm 140
  • Colossians 1-2

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