August 10

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30.

THIS was spoken of the Redeemer by his forerunner John. And it is not to be considered as the language of complaint or sullen acquiescence, as if he would say, "I dislike it; but it is unavoidable. It is my grief; and I must bear it." No. It was as agreeable to his feelings as it was firm in his belief. And it showed a fine and a noble soul in John. The spirit that is in us lusteth to envy. We love something distinguishing, and therefore exclusive. We wish to rise, even by the depression of others. It is trying, even to a good man, to withdraw, and see a successor filling his place better than himself, and, as the honors he has worn are transferred to another, to say, "He must increase, but I must decrease." It is not an easy thing to go down well, or for a setting star to exult in a rising sun.

But it was thus with John. He knew his rank, and approved of his place. He was the servant, not the master; the friend, not the bridegroom. The church was not married to him. "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."

What does he mean by this increase? Not an increase in his temporal condition. As he had been poor, so he was to continue. Many of his professed followers seek great things to themselves; but we may judge of his estimation of them by his choice, for they were all within his reach. But though he had a kingdom, it was not of this world. Nor is it by any kind of earthly condition and indulgence that he has characterized Christians, or raised their hope. He has nowhere engaged to make them rich in this world's goods, but only rich in faith. He has nowhere told them that they shall be free from trouble, but only that in him they shall have peace.

The increase partly regards his personal ministry. Both John and Jesus were preachers and leaders. John's "course" was ending; but Jesus was only commencing his public work. John was going to lose his disciples, and Jesus to gain them, and to become a much more famous minister, by miracles, and clearness and grandeur of doctrine, and the permanency of his success. Indeed, we have no reason to believe that John ever preached after this. The end of his mission was answered. He was a voice; and having made his proclamation, he was silenced. He was the morning star; and having ushered the Sun of righteousness in, he disappeared. He was the forerunner to introduce the Messiah; but the Messiah was now come, and verified and acknowledged.

But it was the same as saying, Christianity must increase. Christianity was small at first; but it was to resemble the shining light, which begins with the dawn, but becomes perfect day. Or to be like the mustard-seed, which, however diminutive, grows the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof; or the portion of leaven, which, hid in the meal, continues to diffuse itself till the whole be leavened. His doctrine was possessed only by himself for a time. He then communicated the secret to twelve; then to seventy. His followers after this were not numerous, and they consisted chiefly of the common people, for it was scornfully asked, "Have any of the rulers believed on him?" After various trials, the number of disciples in Jerusalem, previously to the descent of the Spirit, was about one hundred and twenty. Then three thousand were added in one day; and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Thus mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. It soon spread beyond the bounds of Judea, and reached the ends of the Roman world, the heralds thanking God, who always caused them to triumph in Christ, and made manifest the savor of his knowledge by them in every place. How much has his cause done since; and how is it expanding now! But a vaster increase is yet to take place. His glory shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For now shall he be great to the ends of the earth. Such is the language of the Scripture, and nothing has yet taken place sufficient to fulfil it. It is therefore before us. We know that heathenism and Mahommedanism and "the man of sin" shall be destroyed. And we know the Jews shall look on Him whom they have pierced; and if the casting them away was the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

And there is no uncertainty here; it must be. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. His death insures it. He has power over all flesh to accomplish it. Let those who love him, and are laboring to advance his cause, rejoice, and be encouraged—they cannot fail. "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen."