Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 10,2026

Date: Saturday after Epiphany

Scripture Text:   John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.

 So, they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him,rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So, this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel recounts for us John the Baptist’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and of himself as a humble herald. John points to Christ rather than himself and admits he is being called to glorify the LORD by diminishing his own desires. 

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 As a follower of Christ, do I daily seek to “decrease” so that Christ has more room within me to “increase”?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, my Savior and Lord, send the Spirit to help me to rein in my own desires and seek instead your way which will lead me home to the loving Father. Amen.