John the Baptist shared that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. He had the humility and foresight that he was preparing the way for the Lord and he himself was not him. These words of John came in the last verse before today’s Gospel verses begin. There is no clear indication who then is continuing the verses read in today’s Gospel. Were they the continuing words of John the Baptist, Jesus himself, or the author of John.

The author is not as important as the words that describe Jesus as the one who “comes from above” and the one who “comes from heaven is above all”; this one “testifies to what he has seen and heard” and he is sent by God to speak “the words of God”; he is also generous in that he “does not ration the gift of the Spirit”; and the Son is loved by the Father and God “has given everything over to him”.

Each of these phrases point to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God who has come from above, he has come to reveal the truth about the Father, and is able to do so because he has seen and has an infinite relationship with him. He preaches the Gospel, the Good News, that God loves us, that he seeks and has always sought, to be in communion with us, his created beings and help us to grow in our communion with the Father as well. Jesus has come to reveal the Love of the Father and that his love is unlimited.

The proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, is not just revealed in the Gospel of John, but each of the three other Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as the epistles. Jesus, as the Son of God, is also the key to unlocking the Hebrew Scriptures, and we can see how the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings all point to Jesus as well. Jesus shared this outline of salvation history with Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus, such that their hearts were burning within them while Jesus spoke and opened the scriptures to them (cf. Lk 24:32).

John the Baptist gets it and that is why he is willing to pass on the baton of his ministry. Jesus is the Son of the Living God, and John offers the model for us to follow when he shared with his disciples: “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).

I invite you to spend some time in quiet reflection today by pondering the phrases that arise from John’s Gospel regarding the truth of who Jesus is. Pick one that calls to you and carry it with you through the day.

“The one who comes from above is above all.”
“The one who comes from heaven is above all.”
“He testifies to what he has seen and heard.”

“For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.”
“He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.”
“The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.”

Do we “accept his testimony” and “certify that God is trustworthy”? If we “accept his testimony”, are we willing to decrease, such that he will increase his influence in our lives. Do we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?

Painting: Christ Blessing (‘The Savior of the World’), by El Greco, 1600

Link for the Mass readings for Thursday, April 11, 2024