“He Must Increase”
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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. He manifested no sympathy with the
dissatisfaction of his disciples, but showed how clearly he understood
his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for
whom he had prepared the way.
He said, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from
heaven. 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.” John represented
himself as the friend who acted as a messenger between the betrothed
parties, preparing the way for the marriage. When the bridegroom had
received his bride, the mission of the friend was fulfilled. He rejoiced
in the happiness of those whose union he had promoted. So John had
been called to direct the people to Jesus, and it was his joy to witness
the success of the Saviour’s work. He said, “This my joy therefore is
fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
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. No rivalry will mar the precious cause of the gospel. They
will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist,
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“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29
. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be
lifted up. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also
that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 57:15
.