John 3:30-36
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them! Anyone who accepts His testimony can affirm that God is true. For He is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
A good question to ask is: "How much have I shrunk since I came to know Jesus?"
Now, I don't mean physically, my nearest and dearest is always remarking: "You have to go down on your weight!"
How I wish I could!
But what about the "me" that makes vital life decisions? How much has my selfishness shrunk over the years? How much does Jesus take precedence in the things I think, do and feel?
Here, in the passage above, John the Baptist, who had become quite an icon, acquiring many followers, clearly states that Jesus must become greater and greater and he must shrink in his popularity.
It can't have been easy on his ego, but he was glad to see that he had completed his task of being the forerunner of Jesus.
Later, when he was in Herod's prison, his faith must have been shaken - possibly asking "why is this happening to me?". He even sent out someone to ask Jesus if He really was the One or should we look for another! Matthew 11:3
When we're passing through times which seem to imprison us, it's easy to waver in our faith and start moves of self preservation. Like John the Baptist, perhaps doubts arise. It's only natural.
That's why faith is an ongoing struggle with our fleshly desires.
There are battles and skirmishes that happen on a daily basis - even down to sharing a box of chocolates or letting someone have your favourite seat in the house.
Keep on shrinking!
Let Jesus go first.
1 Timothy 6:12 AMPC
Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.
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