In today’s gospel we have John the Baptist recognizing and declaring that Jesus comes from above, one who stands beyond all others. Just before this passage, John the Baptist declares that “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He highlights that Jesus is the Son of God and calls on us to believe in Jesus if we are to receive eternal life.” None of this John knows, can be said of himself.
As a precursor of Jesus, his importance cannot be underestimated, yet his greatness lay precisely in his humility. He had a profound appreciation of the uniqueness of Jesus which is why he could say; “he must increase, but I must decrease.” John the Baptists saw clearly who Jesus is, and his was to point him out to others.
As one who comes from above, his divine origin and authority distinguish him from all of us who are on the earth, for we speak from an earthly perspective.
Recognizing his ultimate authority provides clarity and direction in our lives that in this world of ours, are filled with competing voices.
Thus, believing in him is crucial and critical for us to attain eternal happiness and inner peace. Similar to his disciples, the call for us is to be committed to humility to live according to his teachings.
In this Easter season it is important for us to take time to examine our beliefs and consider how we can deepen our relationship with the risen Christ. We are invited to recognize him as one who is above all, and ours is, to trust in his authority and share his love with those around us.
We are not better served if we cling to our own ideas here on earth and cannot understand the deep significance of what he is trying to share with us, from his Father in heaven. His call is for us to embrace fully that intimate relationship between the Father and the Son.
Because of His uniqueness, we can never fully appreciate his specialness in our lives. The more we see of Jesus, the more we recognize what is yet to be seen. The closer we come to him, the more we realize how deep our relationship with him could be. Therefore, there is a sense in which we can say with John the Baptist, he must increase and I decrease.
Decreasing here involves letting go of self-reliance and self-centeredness and choosing to trust in Christ’s wisdom and goodness. And so, the more Jesus increases the more we become our true selves, because we can create space for His grace, truth and light to illuminate our lives as we seek to align our hearts with his purpose.