Jesus Shines On
Humble Series
“A greatness that comes about not by achievement or ambition, but through sacrifice and humility…”
“John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Explanation:
John’s illustration of his mission as that of the friend of the bridegroom is fitting, for his joy and fulfillment comes not in his own ambitions or desires, but in fulfilling the joy of the bridegroom. In this context, we can start to understand John’s role in the life of Jesus, and by extension, our own role. As the culmination of the wedding feast draws nearer, John understands that his role has been swallowed up in the light. As the light of Jesus shines on, John’s light must grow dim and yield to it. Jesus becomes greater, and John becomes less. John would have it no other way.¹
Connection:
When we think of great men in the context of our society, we think of the great visionaries and innovators of history - the Fords, Churchills, Carnegies, and Rockefellers. To some extent, the exaltation of these men is justified, for their efforts and vision helped to shape much of the modern world we enjoy today. Their aspirations and ambition contributed to a higher standard of living for countless numbers of people.
Yet, the scriptures speak of a type of greatness that transcends our worldly understanding - a greatness that comes about not by achievement or ambition, but through sacrifice and humility. As Jesus says of John the Baptist: "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt 11:11). What is it that made John great? Certainly it wasn't his skill or ingenuity. Rather, it was his self-denying devotion to Christ and his mission. You see, John devoted his life to God, and proclaimed his word. He rather famously lived a quite "minimalist" lifestyle - subsisting on literal locusts and wild honey, in the spirit of Elijah. John understood that there were purposes greater than worldly ambition, for there was a kingdom to proclaim and a world to come which put this life in a proper perspective. When we see things through this lens, we are able to understand the futility of worldly ambition that is divorced from the glorification of God.
Action:
1. Decrease -
John the Baptist decreased so that Jesus might increase. Decreasing, in any sense, requires sacrifice. Identify things in your life that are inhibiting you from coming to Christ and lay them at the cross. He has promised to carry our burdens (1 Peter 5:7).
2. Pick Up Your Cross -
Humbling yourself is a form of self-denial, and to some extent, will be painful. There is a certain refining that comes with carrying our cross, but our Lord has promised to give us the strength to endure. He is present in the mysteries that are revealed only in the darkness and loneliness of the bearing of the cross.
3. Glorify God -
It is important to place our trust in God when we humble ourselves. Do not be consumed with fear and anxiety, but instead immerse yourself in the word and promises of God, which provide us with the true spiritual strength to endure. Allow your light to shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father In heaven (Matthew 5:16).
¹Herman Ridderbos, The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997), 147.