In the ancient world, he was a rock star - able to captivate and influence large crowds, yet totally weird in his behavior and life. Only someone as eccentric and strange as him could pull of his camel-hair wardrobe and six-legged diet. His booming charge of "Repent!" divided the population. Was he really a prophet? Or a demon? The answer can be found in what is perhaps the greatest compliment ever given - "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist..." Those are red-letter words, spoken by Jesus himself.
John the Baptist is one of the most fascinating people in scripture. A prophet similar to the Old Testament greats like Elijah, yet one who lived to see Jesus. He became so popular in Israel that even the king (Herod) feared the potential riots that might happen should John be executed. Perhaps what is most amazing about John, however, is that his whole life and ministry was spent trying to magnify someone else, someone far greater - the throngs of whose sandals John was not worthy to untie.
John's greatness - his popularity, his fame, his success, and his trials and adversity - all came because he constantly pointed others to the Messiah. In that way, he was unlike any modern rock star - never seeking recognition or glory for himself. In John 3:30, he sums up his whole life: "He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease."
Did you catch that? Read it again -
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Even in a culture saturated with people who claim to be "Christian," this idea is radical. Claiming that Jesus is our Lord means far more than attending church or saying an occasional blessing over a meal. It means surrendering every part of life to Someone far greater - the throngs of whose sandals we're not worthy to untie. Ultimately, this constant surrender leads to transformation, as our very identity is lost in His.
Losing one's identity is usually a frightening thing, especially in our hyper-individualistic society. Yet losing one's identity in Christ is hardly cause for alarm. In fact, it's probably better said that we gain true identity in Christ rather than lose our old identity. Think of it this way: when we know Christ as our Lord, we lose our old self in the same way that an adopted young prince might lose his status as a forgotten orphan. The old identity was but a bleak existence void of hope. The new identity provides endless hope, joy, and possibilities for a meaningful life. No orphan sheds a tear at the loss of his orphan-ness.
He must increase, but I must decrease - a simple phrase that defined one of the greatest men in history; a simple idea that will help transform sinful orphans into adopted children of God. If you claim that Jesus is Lord of your life, I pray that you will not soon forget those words. May they remind you daily to surrender to His far-better will, and may you rejoice when others see more of Christ in you than anyone else. That is the goal - that is our highest earthly aim.
Author Beth Moore and songwriter Travis Cottrell wrote a song a few years ago that beautifully capture this whole idea. May it encourage you as it has me to become lost in the fullness of Christ.
There is a name above all names,
let mine be lost in His.
Hide me in His crimson heart,
Oh, way of secret bliss!
One life alone is worth the find,
nail mine into the tree
Till Jesus ever shining here
is all beheld in me.
Bring Him forth each day I live
and leave me in the tomb.
I seek no other glory here,
make not the smallest room.
Blessed anonymity!
Count my life but loss,
Jesus, the One and Only,
tread over me, dear cross.
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