Mission of Christ
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baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man
can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven.”
In this answer John virtually says, Why should you be jealous on
my account? “Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not
the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is
the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and
heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This
my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John, so far from being jealous of the prosperity of Christ’s mission,
rejoices as he witnesses the success of the work he came to do. He
assures his disciples that his special mission was to direct the attention
of the people to Christ. “He must increase; but I must decrease. He that
cometh from above is above all. He that is of the earth is earthly, and
speaketh of the earth. He that cometh from Heaven is above all. And
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what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth
his testimony.”
John assured his disciples that Jesus was the promised Messiah,
the Saviour of the world. As his work was closing, he taught his
disciples to look to Jesus, and follow him as the great teacher. John’s
life, with the exception of the joy he experienced in witnessing the
success of his mission, was without pleasure. It was one of sorrow
and self-denial. He who heralded the first advent of Christ, was not
permitted to personally hear, nor to witness the power manifested by
him. John’s voice was seldom heard, except in the wilderness. His life
was lonely. Multitudes had flocked to the wilderness to hear the words
of the wonderful prophet. He had laid the ax at the root of the tree. He
had reproved sin, fearless of the consequences, and prepared the way
for the ministry of Christ.
Herod was affected as he listened to the pointed testimony of John,
and, with deep interest, he inquired what he must do to become his
disciple. He was convicted by the plain truths uttered by John. His
conscience condemned him, for a woman of vile passions had gained
his affections and controlled his mind. This unprincipled woman was
ambitious for power and authority, and thought if she became the wife
of Herod her object would be gained. As Herod listened to the practical
truths proclaimed by John, reproving the transgression of the law of
God, and setting forth the future punishment which the guilty must
suffer, he trembled, and greatly desired to break the chain of lust which