365 Days in the Gospels and Spirit of Prophecy
February 7
Bible discovery
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 365DGSP 39.2
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. 365DGSP 39.3
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 365DGSP 39.5
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 365DGSP 39.6
24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 365DGSP 39.7
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 365DGSP 39.8
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 365DGSP 39.9
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 365DGSP 39.10
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 365DGSP 39.11
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 365DGSP 39.12
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 365DGSP 39.13
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 365DGSP 39.14
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 365DGSP 39.15
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 365DGSP 39.16
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 365DGSP 39.17
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 365DGSP 39.18
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 365DGSP 39.19
Spirit of Prophecy Reading
The Desire of Ages pp.178-182: 365DGSP 39.20
This chapter is based on John 3:22-36. 365DGSP 39.21
For a time the Baptist's influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world's conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. 365DGSP 39.22
Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds about him lessened. When Jesus came from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan, the people flocked to hear Him. The number of His disciples increased daily. Many came for baptism, and while Christ Himself did not baptize, He sanctioned the administration of the ordinance by His disciples. Thus He set His seal upon the mission of His forerunner. But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus. They stood ready to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found occasion. A question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin; they maintained that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in dispute with Christ's disciples in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. 365DGSP 39.23
The same dangers still exist. God calls a man to do a certain work; and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it, the Lord brings in others, to carry it still farther. But, like John's disciples, many feel that the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Attention is fixed upon the human instead of the divine, jealousy comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one thus unduly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, and thus they fall into error, and are led away from God. 365DGSP 39.24
The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies, through whom His purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 365DGSP 39.25