John 3:27-30
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29He 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: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptist was the fulfillment of scripture.
Isaiah 40:3
3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God
John the Baptist understood his place in the plan of God.
Matthew 3:11
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
When John heard the voice of Jesus, he rejoiced and said therefore is my joy fulfilled.
There is a definite feeling of contentment in knowing that we fulfilled our purpose
His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus and when Jesus came on the scene he knew he had accomplished all that he could do.
John could have reared up and said, “Wait just one minute, I am the one who is eating wild locust and honey, I’m the one dressed is camels hair. I am the one challenging the Pharisees and Sadducees.” “Why should I step back now?”
We must understand that as we come to the understanding of our place in the kingdom of God that we must be willing to decrease so that Jesus can increase.
Philippians 4:11-13
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The world around us must see Jesus through our lives and not us.
1 Peter 2:9
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
We must understand our place in the kingdom of God
1 Peter 2:10-12
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
