If Jesus is not growing larger in our lives, then we are growing larger in our own lives. Where are you on that spectrum? Where am I? It is a painful question.Ĭonfining ourselves to John the Baptist’s categories, we must admit that either we are increasing or Jesus is increasing. If martyrs are those who have achieved the ultimate emptying of themselves by dying for Christ, then antimartyrs are those who have achieved the opposite: the ultimate exaltation of themselves. I think that is a helpful concept, antimartyrdom. He is one, as I see it, who testifies to himself – one for whom the Church has become a means for the aggrandizement of himself. The antimartyr is what we are all in danger of becoming, when we forget the devastating and wholly salutary words of the Baptist, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” The antimartyr is not necessarily someone who hates the Church, or who seeks to spread paganism across the land. If the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, then that means, Esolen writes, “that the sweat of the antimartyr is poison for the Church.” By “antimartyr” Esolen meant this: But, in the broader sense, John the Baptist was articulating the very essence of the Christian life: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”Īnthony Esolen has quoted Tertullians’ famous words that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” He then went on to propose an opposite truth. In the immediate context, John’s words were a declaration that Jesus’ fame and ministry and following should grow while his own decreased. This is one of those verses that has an immediate and, simultaneously, a greater meaning. Instead of responding with jealousy or scorn, John famously said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The words above John the Baptist’s arm are, “Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui.” That is Latin for, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” These are the words of John the Baptist in response to the news that Jesus’ ministry and fame was expanding greater than John’s own. ![]() You can see the crucifixion scene prominently displayed here in the centerpiece, but when you come in close to John the Baptist you can also see an interesting detail that Grunewald added. Karl Barth, the famed theologian, had a copy of Grunewald’s painting in his office and used to spend a great deal of time contemplating it. This is why Jesus’ skin looks diseased in the painting. Many of the monks cared for those suffering the effects of plague, particularly in their skin. It was painted for the Monastery of Saint Anthony, a monastery that was especially involved in the care of the sick. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”įrom 1512-1516, The Isenheim Altarpiece was sculpted by Niclaus of Haguenau and painted by Matthias Grunewald, a German Renaissance painter. ![]() 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”Ģ8 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness-look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification.
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