John the Baptizer could have gotten a lot of attention. He could have become even more popular than he already was. There were those who wanted to know if he was the Christ that was to come. John could have said yes and gained even more followers. But John didn’t do that. He plainly stated that he was not the Christ. The Christ was coming later. In John 3, after Jesus did come, John’s disciples were worried that everybody was going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John. John could have made an issue out of it. He could have tried to sway the crowds back to himself. But he didn’t.
Why didn’t John seek his own glory? Why didn’t John seek the attention of the people? Look at what he said of Jesus in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Isn’t that awesome?! He had the right attitude. The right heart. The right focus. He knew that it’s all about Jesus. John lived to serve God and magnify Jesus. John didn’t make it about himself. He didn’t seek worldly gain. He sought to glorify God and honor Jesus with his life.
John is the perfect example for us today. John’s answer describes exactly what being a Christian is all about. It is all about JESUS. He must increase in my life. I must decrease. My life isn’t about me and my sinful pleasures anymore. My life is about serving God and honoring Jesus. I can’t live for self. I must live for Jesus. The longer I live I should see less of me and more of Jesus. Paul said “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Look in the mirror. Who do you see more of? Yourself? Or Jesus? Give your heart completely to the Lord. Not some. Not a little. All of it. We should be more like Jesus every day. He should be increasing and we should be decreasing. Get rid of your selfish, sinful desires. Get rid of your own opinions and stop doing what you want to do. Live for Jesus. Live for God.
A Cord of Blue 