The Magnifying Lens

UV 3687/10000 The Magnifying Lens He must increase (in prominence), but I must decrease. John 3 v 30 John and Jesus were like blood brothers as they were cousins. Yet, John, the older sibling anointed and chosen from birth like Jesus knew clearly that Jesus is the Bridegroom of the church and that he was at best only the best man at the wedding. He was the herald of the Messiah. Jesus paid encomiums to John by saying that he was the greatest born of flesh and blood. Yet, John humbled himself by saying that he was unworthy of untying the lace of the sandals of Jesus. John said, “ He must increase while I must decrease.” This was fulfilment of the word sent through Isaiah, the prophet that the government and power and influence of Jesus would increase in this world. John was in the mode of self abnegation and denial of the pleasure his ego would have found in people adulating him as a great prophet. Instead, he found pleasure in glorifying Jesus. Indeed, our egos, our old nature, our selfishness should decrease over time and the power and influence of Jesus in our lives should keep increasing. The more we empty ourselves, the more the Holy Spirit can fill us and enable us to fulfil the will of God and of Jesus in our lives. In everything we think, speak and do, the central focus is not we, ourselves but Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The more we decrease, the more the fruit of the Spirit will have scope to be manifest in our lives. The Jewish temple had vessels consecrated to God that could be used only for sacred or divinely ordained purposes. Likewise, we are consecrated, set apart to be holy vessels to carry the name and word and work of Jesus forward in all that we think, speak and do. By humbling ourselves, by lowering ourselves before Jesus and for Jesus, we honour Him. The Lord in turn will bless us, lift us up as we point all things to Him. Where formerly we used to look at all things through the lens of our own egos and our agenda was foremost, now we become magnifying lens for the name and person and work of Jesus. We see our lives as having meaning in lifting up His name.