Chapter 18—“He Must Increase”
This chapter is based on
John 3:22-36
.
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. When Jesus came
from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan, the people flocked to hear
Him. The number of His disciples increased daily. Many came for
baptism, and while Christ Himself did not baptize, He sanctioned the
administration of the ordinance by His disciples. Thus He set His seal
upon the mission of His forerunner. But the disciples of John looked
with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus. They stood ready
to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found occasion.
A question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism
availed to cleanse the soul from sin; they maintained that the baptism
of Jesus differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in
dispute with Christ’s disciples in regard to the form of words proper to
use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all.
[179]
The disciples of John came to him with their grievances, saying,
“Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bear-
est 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and expressed grief or disappointment at being superseded, he would
140