It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. [John 3:29-30 NLT]
John's description of his ministry as an usher or a best man at a good friend's wedding paints a beautiful picture. The wedding is never about the groom's, or the bride's, attendants. In a sense these roles only exist to serve the betrothed couple in their union. So it was with John and his forerunning ministry.
The picture painted, in these verses and many others, is what it means to be a minister of the gospel. In fact the image can be used to represent any sincere follower of Christ. The picture is one of love and humility. Of becoming less. Of serving a divine Friend. Of wanting His will, and His happiness, more than our own.
Teach us Lord what it means to decrease as you increase in our lives.
... this devotion is part of a series about John the Baptist.
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