August 3

John 1:30
“This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a Man which is preferred before me: for He was before me” ―John 1:3030This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:30).
FEW preachers have equaled John the Baptist in self-depreciation and Christ-exaltation. He sought to turn the attention of his hearers from himself to Jesus, and if he made disciples, it was only that they might be persuaded to leave him and follow Christ, the One who was preferred before him (John 1:1515John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:15)), because pre-existent, John was happy and content to be esteemed the Bridegroom’s friend, and rejoiced as he entered into His joy (John 3:2929He 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: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29)).
“Not I, but Christ, he honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be loved;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action;
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
Not I, but Christ, in lowly, silent labor;
Not I, but Christ, in humble, earnest toil;
Christ, only Christ, no show, no ostentation;
Christ, none but Christ, the Gatherer of the spoil.”
—A. A. F.