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Mar 12, 2024 18:00pm

More Like Jesus

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I squinted my eyes, trying to see what they were pointing at. I made a fist with my hand and put it up to my eye, slowly opening the tiniest of holes at the end to see through. Somehow, it helped me focus my eyes better so I could see the far distance.

Have you ever done this? I’m sure an optometrist could tell me exactly why that seems to work with the eye. But isn’t it strange to think that something could increase by getting smaller?

I thought of this as I read John the Baptist’s words about Jesus.

John 30:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John was the one God had called to go and preach the message of repentance. The one who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. The one who men followed, learning about God. The one called “The Baptizer”.

His followers were wondering why people were starting to follow Jesus instead of him. But he reminded them of the purpose that God gave him. It was to point people to Christ. And by doing so, Jesus’ following would increase as his decreased.

But we know it’s much more than that, don’t we?

It’s not just the amount of followers. It’s everything within us. If we want Jesus to be a greater part of us, then we’ve got to make room, don’t we?

Our self-focused wants, desires, and plans decrease as Christ increases.

And rightfully so.

How can I say that? Because Jesus Christ is the Lord. He is God. He is the King of kings! He is the Creator, the Almighty Authority, the Everlasting One. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. He is the great physician, healer, and redeemer, the One who restores. He is the forgiveness, joy, and peace we seek. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

More like Jesus, less like me.

I think there’s a song that says something like that…