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JOHN 3:30 “HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE.” (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ASV, RSV)
“He must become greater; I must become less.” (NIV)
John must have been a very interesting person. Some thought him to be a prophet. I’m sure some thought him great entertainment. He was certainly an exceptional man.
The church has seen all types of leaders, teachers, prophets and preachers. I’m not sure exactly what the measure of a preacher’s success must be measured by, but John definitely could claim some of those merits. Many followed him. Many came to him to be baptized. Lots just came to see what all the fuss was about.
We know that John was Jesus’ cousin. We know he lept in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary visited her. They must have known each other as they were growing up…maybe even played together.
When do you reckon John started to know about his calling in life? When did the Spirit tell him to start preaching, baptizing and calling men into repentance in preparation for the coming of Jesus. Jesus knew how popular John had become. Everyone could certainly tell that his message was well received by how many people came to him to be baptized. No doubt John could have started the first “mega church” in Israel…The First Church of the Jordan River!
In the verses leading up to our memory verse, John’s disciples pointed out that Jesus was now drawing a crowd. They said, “He is baptizing and all are coming to Him!” In a later verse, we actually find out that Jesus didn’t baptize anyone, or at least none but His disciples. It almost sounds like those who followed John were a little bit concerned that Jesus’ success might mean that John’s would be diminished. Even a couple of John’s disciples had left him to follow Jesus! Oh no!
I find John’s response to them very instructive. First, John knew exactly where his ministry came from and exactly what he had. In verse 27, John told them, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” How many well-meaning ministers started out amazed that the Lord would even use them in ministry and then very quickly became impressed by their apparent success? Pride is a funny thing that way.
Next, look that John has to remind his disciples (and maybe himself) that he always knew who he was and what he had been sent to do. Verse 28 tells us that he said, “Remember what I have always told you. I am not the Christ. I was sent before Him to prepare His way.”
It is often very hard to be the “supporting cast.” One of the hardest but most rewarding jobs I had in the Air Force was being an executive officer for the Wing Commander at Cannon Air Force Base. That essentially meant I worked twelve (or longer) hour days coordinating and doing all the hard work to get everything he wanted done accomplished so he could run the base.
When governors, senators and four star generals came to the base, my job was to prepare everything for their visits so they could see how well our F-111 wing was able to do the job the Air Force gave us to do. I rarely got credit when things went very well. I did get a lot of heat from the boss if things did not. Having so much responsibility for all those details might cause some to want to take credit for all the hard work. I learned quickly that my job was to see that others accomplished the mission. I didn’t get many accolades for telling officers higher in rank what the commander wanted them to do. But, when things were properly prepared for him, the commander could step up, run the show and get all the credit for all of us doing a great job for him. We prepared the way for him to succeed.
“John, you have done so well in your ministry. You should get some of the credit!” “John, you prepared the way and along comes Jesus and takes your followers away! Do something!” “John, if you aren’t careful, soon they will all be following Jesus and no one will be following you!” John knew better.
Look at John’s response in verse 29. He sees what they do not. He knows that he is the “friend of the groom” (Jesus), he rejoices because of the groom’s voice (think about that some), and that results in making him very happy. “This joy of mine is fulfilled,” John says.
Wow! Not many in life can find real joy and contentment in lifting others up to success. At the very least, Jesus’ success was a direct result of John’s preparation for Him…Mission success! And I have no doubt, knowing who Jesus was (the Messiah), John loved Jesus deeply and was thrilled to see Him succeed. But John knew the secret was in his attitude expressed in verse 30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
This is not the way of the world. We learn at a very early age that to succeed in life, WE must increase. An entertainer does not succeed by lifting another up…he must succeed by drawing attention to his own talents, skills and expertise. Great preachers do not increase their following by having lots of guest speakers come in and speak for them. They succeed by becoming great preachers, those that many want to listen to. Successful politicians do not get elected by convincing voters that others can do the job better. Only by becoming greater, by increasing one’s importance and influence does one move into the opportunities to do great things.
John knew that Jesus came to save the world. “Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” Yeah, John knew who Jesus was. In the shadow of God coming in the flesh, how could he even think of being concerned that others were following Jesus instead of him?
We need to be the same. Our job, as followers of Jesus, is not to build up a greater following for ourselves. He must increase, and I must decrease. The world might not even see Jesus increase if we insist on “not decreasing.” Jesus said of Himself, “If I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto Myself.” We do not help draw men unto Jesus by lifting ourselves up. It is the opposite. He must increase! To make that happen, Lord, help me to humble myself, decrease in importance, priority and fame that I might want, and become nothing in comparison to You if that is what it takes to lift you up. How is that working for you?
Questions to consider: As unnatural as it is to lift others up instead of ourselves, how do we start a lifestyle of lifting Jesus up? Is denying ourselves a lost art of discipleship? What might the Lord call you to give up so that you could better follow Him? How can we overcome the insistence of the world that says that our success in life is everything? Can you measure success by your following? Is it possible to make yourself decrease (in popularity, influence and success) so that Jesus can increase? Give some examples how we might do that.
Scriptures to study: John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto myself.” (There’s a reason we memorized that one.) Mark 9:35, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” John 13:5 “…and began to wash his disciples’ feet…” Luke 9:23 “…deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.”
 
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