In the Spotlight

Have you ever been to a wedding where the bride and groom are not the center of attention?  Of course not!!  Every eye is on the happy couple and that's the way it's supposed to be.  How crazy to imagine the best man or maid of honor stealing the show.  Unthinkable!

That's the illustration John the Baptist uses to describe his role in comparison to Christ; John is the best man, Christ is the groom.  He said, "I have been sent ahead of Him."  In other words, "I'm not in the spotlight, point it on Christ." (Personal paraphrase)

Isn't that the way we each should live our lives?  Putting the spotlight on Christ; pointing the world to the Savior.  Think of the joy we could experience by making it our goal in life to spotlight Jesus.  No longer would I have to have my way; no longer would I need to be the center of attention. 

Just as we find joy and excitement when two are made one; so too, when Christ is given the preeminent place we will find joy is His glorification.  John said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."  John understood his role as well as Christ's.  He knew who should be in the spotlight.

Taking a backseat is not always the most pleasant of positions.  In the shadows you lack attention, recognition, credit, or even acknowledgement.  Sometimes it will bring pain and suffering, other times only a passing glance; but when you have the spotlight on the right person (Christ) even in the pain there is joy.