A comment on John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
This was the conviction that came upon John the Baptist -- The public attention that had been given to him, needed to be diverted to Jesus. He was willing to be nothing, that Christ might be all. John was willing to remove himself completely from the spotlight. But shall we think that John was gloomy and dejected at the thought? No, I venture to say that it was entirely otherwise. The friend of the Bridegroom rejoiced greatly at the Bridegrooms voice. (Jn 3:29)
This principle remains one of the great, enduring, principles of Christian life.
It may also be seen in other godly men. When Jonathan (Sauls eldest son) understood that God had chosen David as the successor to the throne of Israel, Jonathon accepted the fact graciously. Jonathon was the legal heir to the throne, yet the young man understood that he would have to diminish, so that Gods appointee might have as clear a passage as possible to the throne.
Another, more recent, example of the principle.
During the Adventist camp-meeting in Exeter (in August 1844), Joseph Bates relinquished the podium, and allowed another man (Samuel Snow) to come forward to speak. This was entirely unplanned and unexpected, but Bates, on that occasion, was willing and able to decrease, that another man might have the attention of the people. It was then that Samuel Snow presented the October 22 date as the termination for the 2300 day prophecy.
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It is possible that a number of our foremost workers will, in the end, be called to relinquish the front as well.
When the 11th hour workers come in (Matthew 20), there will be some that may be tempted to say, we have borne the heat of the day; we have carried the work when the going was hard. But the Spirit of Prophecy teaches that the zeal of the 11th hour workers will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore [and these late-comers will] come to the front. (1888 Materials p.378)
Some may indeed be called to relinquish the positions they have held at the front, and give way to the new-comers.
May we all be willing and able to decrease [whenever necessary], so that the work of Christ may go forward to its completion.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
This was the conviction that came upon John the Baptist -- The public attention that had been given to him, needed to be diverted to Jesus. He was willing to be nothing, that Christ might be all. John was willing to remove himself completely from the spotlight. But shall we think that John was gloomy and dejected at the thought? No, I venture to say that it was entirely otherwise. The friend of the Bridegroom rejoiced greatly at the Bridegrooms voice. (Jn 3:29)
This principle remains one of the great, enduring, principles of Christian life.
It may also be seen in other godly men. When Jonathan (Sauls eldest son) understood that God had chosen David as the successor to the throne of Israel, Jonathon accepted the fact graciously. Jonathon was the legal heir to the throne, yet the young man understood that he would have to diminish, so that Gods appointee might have as clear a passage as possible to the throne.
Another, more recent, example of the principle.
During the Adventist camp-meeting in Exeter (in August 1844), Joseph Bates relinquished the podium, and allowed another man (Samuel Snow) to come forward to speak. This was entirely unplanned and unexpected, but Bates, on that occasion, was willing and able to decrease, that another man might have the attention of the people. It was then that Samuel Snow presented the October 22 date as the termination for the 2300 day prophecy.
____________________
It is possible that a number of our foremost workers will, in the end, be called to relinquish the front as well.
When the 11th hour workers come in (Matthew 20), there will be some that may be tempted to say, we have borne the heat of the day; we have carried the work when the going was hard. But the Spirit of Prophecy teaches that the zeal of the 11th hour workers will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file to proclaim the truth heretofore [and these late-comers will] come to the front. (1888 Materials p.378)
Some may indeed be called to relinquish the positions they have held at the front, and give way to the new-comers.
May we all be willing and able to decrease [whenever necessary], so that the work of Christ may go forward to its completion.
