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“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Today we have the third “must” in John, chapter three. We might call this “the servant’s must.” John the Baptist is speaking here, and telling people that, as the forerunner of the Lord Jesus, he must decrease, while the Lord Jesus would increase. John was not concerned about himself; he wanted only to see the Lord Jesus honored. When the Lord Jesus began His earthly service, John gradually faded out of the picture, and was put in prison. Later, Herod beheaded him because of an oath he made to a young girl who danced in front of him on his birthday. You can read this story in Matthew 14. But John did what he was supposed to do, and his work was done.
This is a good verse for you and me to remember too. It is easy to want to be someone great, even among the people of God, but the only One worthy of honor is the Lord Jesus, and our wish should be to see Him increase. Those who want an honored place among Christians are trying to get the glory that belongs only to God. Let us be content to honor our Lord Jesus Christ.
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