"Must"

Turn to John 3.  In this chapter, depending on your translation, the word “must” is used three times.  The word “must” carries a lot of weight.  It is not being used in a superficial way, like when you go to the mall and see something you want and then exclaim, “I must get that.”  Neither does it carry the chance of coincidence, as in “it must be my lucky day.”  The word “must” when used here should not be substituted with “ought to” or “should.”  When it is used in this chapter, each time it is referring to something that needs to happen.  It is a necessity that it happen.  With that in mind, go ahead and read the chapter (if you are like me and like to highlight stuff in your bible – go ahead and make a note for each time it uses the word). 

The first time we see the word “must” appear in this chapter is within a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.  Jesus states, “You must be born again.”  He is pointing out the need for us to become new.  This past Sunday I mentioned 2 Corinthians 5:17.  Check this verse out too.

The second time we see the word “must” is in verse 14-15 – “… so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  Salvation happens when we look up, align our focus to Jesus, and accepting him as our personal lord and savior.  Check out John 14:6.

The third “must” is in verse 30.  I love this verse.  John the Baptist makes the statement, “He must become greater; I must become less.”  Matt Redman wrote a song called “You must increase” that is built around this concept.  If you get a chance, look it up on youtube.

These three “must” statements demonstrate three things that each of us need to take to heart:

1)      Verse 7 – each sinner must die.  We must be made new

2)      Verse 14 – Jesus must increase in our life.  He must become thee priority in which all other things flow from.

3)      Verse 30 – I must decrease. Check out Matthew 20:26-27 and Philippians 2:3-4