John 1:26b-27 (NRSV) Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.
Can you see Jesus? He’s right there in the crowd—the one you do not know. John the Baptizer knows he’s there somewhere. John has been on center stage, baptizing, preaching repentance, making straight the way of the Lord, performing his key assignment as Messianic forerunner and prophet. But now the time is drawing nigh—John is getting ready to bow out. He has fulfilled his mission.
He has cried out in the wilderness that the Messiah is coming to the neighborhood—no—wait—he’s here! John must empty himself. A few days later, John says, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (3:30). And he exits, stage left.
What is true for John is true for us. If we are to receive the Messiah, we must empty ourselves. We must make room for him in the inn of our hearts. Now that Jesus is here with us, there must be more of him and less of us.
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