What Jesus Did! 'Remember Who the Boss Is!' — John 3:25-27

Thursday, February 22, 2018

A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us." John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven."
— John 3:25-27 NLT
Illustration of John 3:25-27 NLT — "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."

Key Thought

One of the most important questions you will ever answer is this: For whom do I work? No matter what your job or vocation, this is the vital question. Do you work to please yourself? Do you work to please your boss? Do you work to impress your peers or your superiors? Do you work to please God? So much of our angst and frustration comes back to this one crucial point: If we are Christians, we work to please God. Whatever our jobs, if we work in ways and with attitudes that are in accordance with God's will, we don't have to be bitter or jealous about someone else getting the attention. If God is pleased, our life is a success. So let's ask God to reveal his job for us, and then let's do it with joy and passion.

Today's Prayer

Father, give me a heart like John the Baptizer. I want to find joy and satisfaction in doing your work for my life. Give me a heart that is satisfied with pleasing you. Give me a heart that doesn't succumb to envy and jealousy when other people get more attention for what they do. When my life is over, dear Father, please help me to have lived in such a way that I can hear your words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." In the name of Jesus. Amen.

The quotation in the prayer is from Matthew 25:21.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 21:17-22
  • Luke 22:24-27
  • Luke 7:28

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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