The attitude of John the Baptist is surely one we could all imitate! He had for some time been the centre of attraction, gathering large crowds of people to the River Jordan, preaching a message of repentance for sin and offering a ritual of washing by which people could express their sorrow for their sin, and their desire to be reconciled with God. John's disciples, however, are now quite disturbed. They come to complain that "the man who was with you...is baptising now; and everyone is going to him".

John's response is one we might well listen to: "A person can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven [i.e. God]." John realises that his job to prepare the way for the coming of the long-awaited Saviour is now coming to an end. "I myself am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent in front of him." John is not the bridegroom, just the bridegroom's friend. It is time to step aside: "He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.' Each of us has a role to play and a time and place in which to play it. It is not for us to resent when others take our place or are given a more prominent role. The important thing is for us is to know what God wants us to and to do it with all our heart.