Magnified
Magnified
For our year-long theme this year, we turn to a simple and beautiful passage in the gospels. A passage which cuts to the very heart of what Magnified is…nothing less than an invitation to magnify the Lord and so magnify your life!
Competition. Comparison. The fear of becoming irrelevant. John the Baptist’s disciples face what feels like a crisis as crowds abandon their teacher for Jesus. But John’s response reveals the heart of true discipleship: recognizing that our purpose is not to build our own kingdom, but to Christ’s! In one of Scripture’s most profound statements about ministry and life, John declares, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This isn’t defeat—it’s victory. It’s the joy of seeing God’s plan unfold exactly as it should. John understood what we often forget: our greatest fulfillment comes not from being seen, but from seeing Christ magnified through our lives.
JOHN 3:25-36
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.