Blog

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

Magnify [ mag-nuh-fahy ] verb (used with object):

1. To increase the apparent size, especially by means of a lens, instrument, or device
2. To increase the volume
3. To make more intense or extreme

I remember having a microscope as a kid and placing various plates underneath to view things that I thought were hidden otherwise. To put a piece of cloth under the lens and be able to see the fibers, or see the intricate patterns woven through the wings of a butterfly, was fascinating. In the same way, our lives are to be the lens in which others are able to see a magnified image of Jesus.

Over my (almost) 40 years of life, one line of Scripture has pounded over and over again in my mind; “He [Jesus] must become greater, and I must become less” (John 3:30). These words were spoken by John the Baptist. It’s amazing to me that John the Baptist isn’t taught on as much as other Biblical characters like David, Noah, Abraham, or the twelve Disciples.

Apart from Jesus Christ, John the Baptist is likely the most theologically significant figure in the Gospels. John was the cousin of Christ. His birth was proclaimed by angels and miracles surrounded his life. Although his formative years were lived in obscurity in the desert, his public ministry ended nearly four hundred years of prophetic silence. He was born of the line of priests, coming, “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). He was not only the herald of the coming of Messiah but also had the privilege to baptize Jesus. John was no “crowd-pleaser” as he preached relentlessly to the people of their need for repentance. And despite all his fame, John realized that his life had only one purpose—to make known the Lord God and His Messiah.

In a world that revolves around self-expressions — “self-care,” “self-esteem,” “self-love,” and “self-help,” led by slogans like “Just Do It” (Nike), “Have It Your Way” (Burger King) and “Because You’re Worth It” (L’OREAL), it’s easy to understand why people struggle to find Christ. Our culture is built on the shifting sands of narcissism and pride.

But God has called us to a different life, one that is built on an altar of sacrifice.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2

As we lay our lives on the altar of sacrifice, we put into practice what John preached in becoming lesser so that He can become greater. Our hope is that this song becomes an anthem and rallying cry of our church body to lay ourselves aside so that Christ will be magnified through us.

CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED

Were creation suddenly articulate
With a thousand tongues to lift one cry
Then from North to South and East to West
We’d hear Christ be magnified

Were the whole Earth echoing His eminence
His name would burst from sea and sky
From rivers to the mountain tops
We’d hear Christ be magnified

Oh! Christ be magnified
Let His praise arise
Christ be magnified in me
Oh! Christ be magnified
From the altar of my life
Christ be magnified in me

When every creature finds its inmost melody
And every human heart its native cry
Oh then in one enraptured hymn of praise
We’ll sing Christ be magnified
Oh, be lifted high, Jesus

I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You
And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice ’cause You’re there too
I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true
If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You
‘Cause death is just the doorway into resurrection life
And if I join You in Your suffering, then I’ll join You when You rise
And when You return in glory with all the angels and the saints
My heart will still be singing, my song will be the same