by Dr. Dinah Dye

The third chapter of the Gospel of John deals with the Festival of Rosh Chodesh, the Festival of the New Moon. Verse thirty says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Here John the Baptist is referring to Yeshua, the Messiah who must increase, and to himself as the one who must decrease. 

There is a midrash that may explain this verse. Haggadic midrash is a form of rabbinic literature that tells a story that focuses on an ethic or value. This type of midrash also explores biblical characters. 

 A certain midrash says that in the beginning, the sun and moon were created of the same size and intensity. However, when the moon objected because two kings could not share the same crown, God responded by commanding the moon to decrease. Hence the sun must increase, but the moon must decrease. 

Yeshua is a picture of the sun, the light that rules the day. Yochanan (John) is a picture of the moon, the light that rules the night. Scripture says that you cannot see the Kingdom of God unless you are born of the Spirit. For the believer, when the “Son” is absent, the Spirit will rule the night. Therefore, John came in the Spirit and power of Elijah during the night to prepare the way for the Messiah, who came to rule by light during the day.

Let us join Yeshua in fellowship to experience the light of God.

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