h in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The light from that secret interview illumined the cross upon Calvary,
and Nicodemus saw in Jesus the world’s Redeemer.
After the Lord’s ascension, when the disciples were scattered by
persecution, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He employed his
wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to
be blotted out at the death of Christ. In the time of peril he who had
been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock, encouraging the
faith of the disciples, and furnishing means to carry forward the work
of the gospel. He was scorned and persecuted by those who had paid
him reverence in other days. He became poor in this world’s goods;
yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in that night
conference with Jesus.
Nicodemus related to John the story of that interview, and by his
pen it was recorded for the instruction of millions. The truths there
taught are as important today as they were on that solemn night in the
Nicodemus 139
shadowy mountain, when the Jewish ruler came to learn the way of
life from the lowly Teacher of Galilee. [178]
Chapter 18—“He Must Increase”
This chapter is based on John 3:22-36.
For a time the Baptist’s 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, priests 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
Saviour. 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 of 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
[179] 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 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 or disappointment at being superseded, he would
140
“He Must Increase” 141
have sown the seeds of dissension, 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 it 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 themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in 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, [180]
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be
lifted up. “Thus saith 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 57:15.
142 The Desire of Ages
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
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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 hath sent Me.” John 5:30. 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 1:9. The Father “giveth not the Spirit by measure
[181] unto Him.”
So with the followers of Christ. We can receiv
