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Ready to Step Aside, September 25
Matthew 3:1-12
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:29
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For a time the Baptist’s influence over the nation had been greater than that
of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah,
and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to
his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world’s
conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the
evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe.
The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. Now he
saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day
the crowds about him lessened....
The disciples of John came to him ... saying, “Rabbi, he that was with thee
beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and
all men come to him.” Through these words, Satan brought temptation upon
John. Though John’s mission seemed about to close, it was still possible for him
to hinder the work of Christ. If he had sympathized with himself, and expressed
grief or disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown the seeds of
dissension, would have encouraged envy and jealousy, and would seriously have
impeded the progress of the gospel.
John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but
the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere
uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of
jealousy.... It was his joy to witness the success of the Saviour’s work....
Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-
abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts
higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself
had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence
and obscurity that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life. Those who
are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves.
Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ
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The Desire of Ages, 178, 179
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