John the Baptist’s life pointed inexplicably and unwaveringly to Jesus. He said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He saw himself as the “friend of the bridegroom” who “rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.” His own voice said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said’” (John 1:23 NRSV). He loved it that Jesus “must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He rejoiced when his numbers went down. He was not into being somebody great, with a great career and a great following. He was all about Jesus. He wanted to be in the background and Jesus in the foreground. Not a bad example to follow.
“They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:26-30 (NRSV)
