“He must become greater, I must become less,” John 3:30

 For many years, this verse sat on our bathroom mirror as a daily reminder that we were not in charge of our lives or ministry.  It is a verse for every shepherd and child of God to ponder and take to heart.  We don’t become less by focusing on becoming less.  We become less by focusing on making Jesus greater.  If we try to become less, we will become the proudest people around!

“Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.  (This was before John was put in prison).  An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.  They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, He is baptizing and everyone is going to Him!”  John 3:23-26.

 John’s disciples were confused!  They were losing their congregation!  John had a unique and exclusive ministry and now someone was trying to take it away!  This was the moment of testing!  If we lead someone to the Lord and they are discipled by someone else, do we rejoice because they are growing closer to Christ or do we feel envy?  Do we create disciples to ourselves or disciples of Christ?

Envy can destroy a ministry.  Envy sold Joseph into slavery, drove David into exile, threw Daniel into a lions den and put Christ on trial.  Envy is one of the aspects of human depravity described in Romans 1:29.

John had a beautiful spirit and knew his mission in life.  John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven….’I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of Him.’  The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.  That joy is mine, and it is complete.  He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:27-30. 

John points his disciples to the fact that the coming of Jesus signaled the completion of his mission!  He was the forerunner prophesied in Malachi 3.  His mission was to prepare the way by calling people to repentance and pointing to Jesus, the true Messiah.  His mission was complete.  He prepared the way and now he was to get out of the way.  Sometimes our mission is to “get out of the way” so people can see Jesus only!  One of the hardest things in ministry is to voluntarily step aside so that Christ will become greater.

John was true to his calling!  He lost his congregation, and it made him full of JOY!  Christ’s glory was John’s joy and it should be ours as well!  The Westminster Catechism states:  “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

Your friend, Jean