THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN - Chapter 3 - Verse 30

Verse 30. He must increase. His authority and influence among the people must grow. His doctrine shall continue to spread till it extends through all the earth.

I must decrease.

"The purpose of my ministry is to point men to him.

When that is done my work is done. I came not to

form a party of my own, nor to set up a religion

of my own; and my teaching must cease when he is

fully established, as the light of the morning

star fades away and is lost in the beams of the

rising sun."

This evinced John's humility and willingness to be esteemed as nothing if he could honour Christ. It shows us, also, that it is sufficient honour for man if he may be permitted to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. No work is so honourable and joyful as the ministry of the gospel; none are so highly honoured as those who are permitted to stand near the Son of God, to hear his voice, and to lead perishing men to his cross. Comp. Da 12:3.