Tuesday, June 24, 2014

He must increase. . .

From today's reading:  John answered, 'No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, "I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him. . .   He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:27-28, 30

John the baptizer was always clear about his mission.  He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness.  His was a ministry to call the people to repentance, to prepare their hearts to receive the greatest gift that God would give - the gift of God's own son.  "One is coming, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."  

The thing that John knew was that once Jesus appeared on the scene, he would become the focus, the prominent one.  "He must increase, but I must decrease."  John did not have to have center stage, he was willing to step back and let Jesus flourish.  This also becomes the pattern that should dictate our own relationship with Christ.  He must increase, and we must decrease.  As we get to know Christ, as we allow him to grow in us, then that should become visible in the way we live our life.  He should be seen more and more in us as we learn to live our life more and more for him. 

Lord Jesus, come fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may decrease and allow you to increase in us. Grant that wherever we may go, we may be agents of your grace and others may know your presence.  Amen.

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