John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:27-30 ESV
As disciples of Jesus Christ, it is (should be) our top priority to proclaim the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom above anything else. Many say it is top priority, but our time management can tell a different story.
John the Baptist’s primary objective was to prepare the way for Jesus’ message. He knew he was merely the preview at the beginning of the film. While many mistook him for the main event, John was never confused about who he was.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s easy to say we want to live our lives this way, but few way the cost. It’s awesome to point people to Jesus, but are you willing to decrease? John got the great privilege of fulfilling prophesy and baptizing Jesus, but in Mark 6 we find him in prison and getting his head cut off. This may sound morbid, but at the time it’s what preaching Jesus’ message cost.
Have you weighed the cost? Are you willing to decrease so the Kingdom can increase through you?