Scr.- John 1:15-30; 3:26-30.
"He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease."--John 3:30
John the Baptist was a faithful servant of God. He was devoted to the glory of God. He preached with conviction. He enacted ministry with courage and resolve. He remains one of the most familiar characters in the pages of Scripture.
But John was no egomaniac.
His objective was not to 'get himself noticed' or 'stand out in a crowd'. Nor was he obsessed with climbing a social ladder. He did not crave the spotlight of popular acclaim. He rejected the temptation to become a cultural icon.
Quite simply, John demonstrated ego in reverse.
He pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:30). John's ministry goal was to honor the Lamb of God rather than extol his own personal status in society or among the religious elite and the 'spiritually successful'. He was committed to elevating the Name of Christ instead of his own name.
There's no doubt that John remained a sinner who needed a Savior. However, his attitude and ministry demonstrated a commitment to the glory of Christ above all else. His ego didn't get in the way.
Christ ALONE is worthy of our full worship. The Christ Who was born of the virgin Mary went on to live a sinless life and then He died for sinners, and rose again from the dead. He reigns now at the right hand of God. And He's coming back!
We find ourselves on the brink of another 'official' Christmas celebration. May we be mindful of these words penned by the apostle Paul: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ---(Phil.2:5-11)
"He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease."--John 3:30
John the Baptist was a faithful servant of God. He was devoted to the glory of God. He preached with conviction. He enacted ministry with courage and resolve. He remains one of the most familiar characters in the pages of Scripture.
But John was no egomaniac.
His objective was not to 'get himself noticed' or 'stand out in a crowd'. Nor was he obsessed with climbing a social ladder. He did not crave the spotlight of popular acclaim. He rejected the temptation to become a cultural icon.
Quite simply, John demonstrated ego in reverse.
He pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:30). John's ministry goal was to honor the Lamb of God rather than extol his own personal status in society or among the religious elite and the 'spiritually successful'. He was committed to elevating the Name of Christ instead of his own name.
There's no doubt that John remained a sinner who needed a Savior. However, his attitude and ministry demonstrated a commitment to the glory of Christ above all else. His ego didn't get in the way.
Christ ALONE is worthy of our full worship. The Christ Who was born of the virgin Mary went on to live a sinless life and then He died for sinners, and rose again from the dead. He reigns now at the right hand of God. And He's coming back!
We find ourselves on the brink of another 'official' Christmas celebration. May we be mindful of these words penned by the apostle Paul: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ---(Phil.2:5-11)
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