Tuesday, February 4 – I must decrease

“He must increase, but I must decrease."         –John 3:30 (NRSV)

John the Baptist’s disciples were noticing that people were starting to go to Jesus and his disciples more than they were coming to them.  They were losing market share.

John reminds them that this is precisely God’s plan.  He came precisely to lead the way...the ‘warm up’ for the main act.  Christ must increase in importance and attention from the people.  He must decrease.  He is doing nothing more than fulfilling the work God gave him to do.

The attention and importance we each have from others ebbs and flows.  And maybe that’s as it should be.  As we grow in Christ, attention on our own individual personality should give way to seeing Christ in us.  Our own personality is not wiped out by Christ, but his values and behaviors become more dominant.  In reality, as Christ increases in us, our true person shines through.  Christ increases...but so does our joy!

Talk to God about the attention you receive from others...and the ‘amount’ of Jesus they see in you.  Ask:  Am I afraid to see Jesus increase in me...or do I welcome it with joy?