Latest / Philosophy and Faith / 18 - The Desire of Ages - Ellen Gould
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- He must increase. For time, the Baptist influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah and raised a revolt against Rome priest, and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world's conquerors. Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist, But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to another. Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Savior. Day by day, the crowds about him lessened. When Jesus came from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan, the people flocked to hear him. The number of his disciples increased daily. Many came for baptism, and while Christ himself did not baptize, he sanctioned the administration of the ordinance by his disciples. Thus he set his seal upon the mission his forerunner. But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus. They stood ready to criticize his work, and it was not long before they found occasion a question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin. They maintained that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in dispute with Christ's disciples in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. The disciples of John came to him with their grievances, saying, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. Through these words, Satan brought temptation upon John. Though John's mission seemed about to close, it was still possible for him to hinder the work of Christ. If he had sympathized with himself and expressed grief for disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown the seeds of dissension, and would have encouraged envy and jealousy, and would seriously have impeded the progress of the Gospel. John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy. He manifested no sympathy with the dissatisfaction of his disciples, but showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the one for whom he had prepared the way. He said, a man can receive nothing except to be given him from Heaven. Ye yourselves, bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before 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. John represented himself as the friend who acted as a messenger between the betrothed parties, preparing the way for the marriage. When the bridegroom had received his bride, the mission of the friend was fulfilled. He rejoiced in the happiness of those whose union he had promoted. So John had been called to direct the people to Jesus, and it was his joy to witness the success of the Saviour's work. He said this, my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. Looking in faith to the Redeemer. John had risen to the height of self abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the light of life. Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for them themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up, and love for Christ. No rivalry will mar the precious cause of the Gospel. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist, behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world John one twenty nine. They will lift up Jesus, and with him humanity will be lifted up. Thus seth the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy. I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite Ones Isaiah fifty seven fifteen. The soul of the prophet, emptied of self, was filled with the light of the divine as he witnessed to the Saviour's glory. His words were almost a counterpart of those that Christ himself had spoken in his interview with Nicodemus. John said, he that cometh from above is above all. He that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth. He that cometh from heaven is above all. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God. For God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him, Christ could say, I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me John five thirty. To him, it is declared thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews one nine the Father giveth not the spirit by measure unto him. So with the followers of Christ we can receive of Heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God or accept Christ by faith unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought, to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ, dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full Clausans two nine ten r V. The disciples of John had declared that all men were coming to Christ. But with clear insight, John said, no man receiveth his witness, so few were ready to accept him as the savior from sin. But he that hath received his witness, hath set his seal to this, that God is true John three thirty three r V. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. No need of disputation as to whether Christ's baptism or John's purified from sin. It is the grace of Christ that gives life to the soul. Apart from Christ. Baptism, like any other service, is a worthless form. He that believeth not the sun shall not see life. The success of Christ's work, which a Baptist had received with such joy, was reported also to the authorities at Jerusalem. The priest and rabbis had been jealous of John's influence as they saw the people leaving the synagogues and flocking to the wilderness. But here was one who had still greater power to attract the multitudes. Those leaders in Israel were not willing to say with John, he must increase, but I must decrease. They arose with a new determination to put an end to the work that was drawing the people away from them. Jesus knew that they would spare no effort to create a division between his own disciples and those of John. He knew that the storm was gathering which would sweep away one of the greatest prophets ever given to the world. Wishing to avoid all occasion from misunderstanding or dissension, he quietly ceased his labors and withdrew to Galilee. We also, while loyal to the truth, should try to avoid all that may lead to discord and misapprehension, for whenever these arise, they result in the loss of souls. Whatever circumstances occur that threatened to cause division, we should follow the example of Jesus and of John the Baptist. John had been called to lead out as a reformer. Because of this, his disciples were in danger of fixing their attention upon him, feeling that the success of the work depended upon his labors, and losing sight of the fact that he was only an instrument to which God had wrought. But the work of John was not sufficient to lay the foundation of the Christian Church. When he had fulfilled his mission, another work was to be done, which his testimony could not accomplish. His disciples did not understand this. When they saw Christ coming in to take the work, they were jealous and dissatisfied. The same danger still exists. God calls a man to do a certain work, and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it, the Lord brings in others to carry it still further. But like John's disciples, many feel that the success of the work depends upon them the first laborer, attention is fixed upon the human instead of the divine. Jealousy comes in and the work of God is marred. The one thus unduly honored, is tempted to share oh self confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, and thus they fall unto error and are led away from God. The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies through whom his purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, he must increase, but I must decrease. End of Chapter eighteen.