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Subject: ''He Must Increase,
Replies: 6 Views: 316
agape777 21.06.08 - 05:31am
But I
Must Decrease.''
If John the Baptist had announced himself as the Messiah and raised 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 stood ready to urge upon them. The attention fixed upon him +John the Baptist+ he directed to Another. Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds around him lessened as the people flocked to hear Jesus Christ. The number of Christ's disciples increased daily.
But the disciples of The Baptist looked with jealously upon the growing popularity of Christ. They stood ready to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found occasion. A question arose between John's disciples and the Jews as to whether baptism cleansed the soul from sin; they maintained that the baptism Christ performed differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in dispute with Christ's disciples in regard to their right to baptize at all. The disciples of John came to him with their grievances, saying, ''Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified-behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!'' John3:26 *
agape777 21.06.08 - 05:51am
Through these words, satan brought temptation upon John. If John had expressed disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown seeds of dissension, encouraged envy and jealously, and seriously impeded the progress of the Gospel.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 said, ''A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.'' ''You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have sent Him before you.' ''He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. John3:27-29. *
agape777 21.06.08 - 06:02am
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 it was John's joy to witness the success of the Saviour's work. He said, ''He must increase, but I must decrease.'' John3:30. Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He 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. The soul of the prophet, emptied of self, was filled with the Light of the Divine. John said, ''He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earthly is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. ''And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. ''He who receives His testimony has certified that God is true. ''For He whom God has sent speaks the Word of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
John3:31-34.
Jesus Christ could say, ''I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.'' John5:30. *
agape777 21.06.08 - 06:32am
So to with the followers of Christ today. We can receive of Heaven's Light only as we are willing to be emptied of self and consent to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. The success of Christ's work, which John the Baptist received with joy, was reported also to the authorities at Jerusalem. The priests and rabbi's had been jealous of John's influence as they saw the people leaving the synagogues and flocking to the wilderness. But here was One who had still greater power to attract the multitudes. Those leaders in Israel were not willing to say with John, ''He must increase, but I must decrease.'' *
agape777 21.06.08 - 06:57am
Christ's Example
of Avoiding Misunderstanding. Jesus knew that the storm was gathering which would sweep away one of the greatest prophets ever item to the world. Wishing to avoid all occasions for dissension, He quietly witheren to Galilee. We also, while loyal to the truth of God's Word, should try to avoid all that may lead to misapprehension. Whenever cir tances threaten to cause division, we should follow the example of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. John had been called to lead out as a reformer. But his work was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the Christian Church. Another work was to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. John's disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, they were jealous!
The same danger still exists. God calls a man or a woman to do a certain work; and when he/she has carried it as far as has been qualified, the Lord brings in others to carry it farther. But many feel the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Jealously comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one unduly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. The people rely on man for guidance and are led away from God. *
agape777 21.06.08 - 07:05am
Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist,
''He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease.'' *
endtimes 21.06.08 - 07:28am
amen *
