“He must increase, but I must decrease.” These are the words of a wilderness loving, straight forward, no holds barred man by the name of John. John the Baptizer. In the past several weeks I have been challenged to reconsider the life and mission of this man. I must admit that his style and presentation is somewhat appealing, although the camel hair clothing is probably not in my line and I probably prefer a little more diverse diet than locust and honey. I like his straight forward approach of calling sin by no other name, and accepting compromise was not in his thinking. He was a man that knew his mission and willingly proclaimed all that God had for him. He did not cower down whether he was speaking to common folks, or soldiers or members of the ruling class. I like to think that I would be willing to take that kind of a stand. He was willing to put his life on the line in his preaching of repentance.

However, I am most impressed with his meekness. Most of us probably would not list John the Baptizer on our list of meek individuals, but first let us find a working definition of meekness. One that is simple but well stated is power under control.

John had crowds that numbered in the thousands flocking to hear him speak his pointed message of repentance. He then would baptize those that would turn from their sin. His words penetrated all levels of society. But

John knew his position and he faithfully carried it out to the end with never a hint of a false humility. He realized that he was a man that was predecessor to Messiah. He realized that he was a small lamp clearing a path for the Light of the World. John had a keen sense of being a tool created by God to carry out a certain task that would ultimately bring glory to God. In meekness, John fulfilled his duty as stated in John 3:30, ”He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Should that not be our prayer and heart’s desire? Yet I know in my heart that a constant battle is raging as pride and greed swell to take control. The desire for glory to self is first degree robbery of the Most High.

This man, John, eventually died for taking a stand and following God’s plan for him, but in truthfulness John went through the most excruciating death long before Herod had him executed. John died to his own self will as each of us must do as well if we want to be in the same rank and file as this righteous man was.

My prayer—Our prayer, “Christ must increase, I must decrease”.