The joy of making much of Jesus is now mine. He’s the point, I’m the pointer. He’s the Messiah, I’m the messenger. He’s the Bridegroom, you are his bride “Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
Dear Jesus, I’m not sure about a wardrobe of camel’s hair clothing and a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4), but I am sure I want more of John the Baptist’s joy—the joy of making much of you. The joy of dying to the “approval suck” inside me—caring less and less about the “approval of man.”
I want the joy of knowing more of your greatness, and seeing your greatness revealed among the nations. In an awesome and profound sense, Jesus, you can’t really become any “greater” than you presently are and eternally have been. But we’re only alive to about .07% of your glory and grace, goodness and beauty, love and joy. We long for the other 99.93%!
There is also great joy in realizing just how much you make of us—your beloved bride. Jesus, you are the fulfillment of our deepest longings, the resolution to the chaos and restlessness in our hearts, the end of all our guilt and shame. Hallelujah, and thank you.
There is overwhelming joy in realizing one Day your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. That’s not a “might-happen,” but “when it happens.” There is hope-filled joy traveling with your bride in a “parade of grace” whose destination is the new heaven and new earth. There is staggering joy knowing all sin, death, “crazy,” illness, and pain will be eradicated and redeemed. There is peace-increasing joy knowing you get the first, middle, and last word—and that word is “grace.” Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.