October 27

He must increase, but I must decrease. — John 3:30

Before Jesus came John had great popularity. After Jesus began to preach, the throngs fell off from John and turned to Jesus. John’s disciples were vexed by this. They thought Jesus was not dealing gratefully with John, in drawing the people from him. John’s answer was very noble. “I am not the Christ,… I am sent before Him.” He said further that he was not the bridegroom, but only His friend.

It was not easy for John to see the people leave him and go after Jesus. It is never easy, when one has been first, to take a second place and to keep on working as faithfully and as sweetly as ever. Some persons who have been chairmen of committees, or presidents of societies, and have worked nobly in these positions, are never of any use after that – they cannot take the lower place after being in the higher. John teaches us to be just as sweet, faithful, and earnest, when we are no longer in the prominent place as when filling places of honor.