by Ryan White
John 3:22-30 -- After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 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.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Earlier in this chapter Jesus had met with Nicodemus at night. He explained to Nicodemus the need to be "born again." Jesus Told Nicodemus what he needed and how it was possible to obtain it. It was possible because He came to die for everyone.
After this encounter Jesus went on with his disciples and they were baptizing people. Some of John’s disciples wondered if this would upset John because Jesus and His disciples were baptizing more people than them.
Wouldn’t we have the same response? John was on the scene first. He was the original "Baptist." He was the guy telling people about their need for repentance. He even set Jesus up. He gave Him His grand introduction. John’s disciples tried to remind him:
“You know, the guy YOU bore witness to...”
But John wasn’t bothered. He didn’t need any credit. He didn’t need higher attendance numbers or record conversions. He knew his purpose and his place. John understood it wasn’t about him.
We need to understand “IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!”
John corrected his disciples in his explanation. He reminded them of how he had already told them he wasn’t the Christ; that he wasn’t the Messiah. He was just the messenger sent to point people to Jesus. John explained to them with the picture of the bridegroom and his friend. The fried isn't jealous. He’s happy for the bridegroom. John wasn’t jealous that more people were following Jesus. He had joy because he knew that was how it was supposed to be.
Then he finished his correction and explanation in a simple statement found in verse 30. “He (Jesus) must increase, I must decrease.”
Could we be like John? Could we just point people to Jesus and let Him get the credit? The point of reaching out and sharing the Gospel isn’t so we achieve something. We’re not in a popularity contest. It’s not about ME, it’s about HIM.
Take a step back. Look at the way you reach out to people to share the Gospel. Do you reach out to share? If so, do you base your success on the reaction of others or their opinion of you? Do you feel down or maybe jealous when you don’t get praise or recognition for what you’ve done? Just look at John for an example. Take joy in pointing people to Jesus. Realize that your purpose and success aren't rooted in people’s approval or your popularity. Understand that God greatly loves you and purposes to use you for His glory. Step back and let Christ increase as you decrease.
How can we decrease? The more place God has in your life, the more it shows. Spend time in God’s presence, in His Word, in His house and with His people. Ask God what in your life could be keeping Him from taking place and leading. If you allow God leadership, He will increase.
If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 3 & Psalm 139.