He must increase, I must decrease. John the Baptist said those words recorded in John 3:30. It is a really good T-shirt verse or bumper sticker verse. But I fear that many who would approvingly quote it (or wear it), myself included, don’t think deeply enough about the implications of this verse.
John said these words in response to his followers who were up in arms about the growing popularity of Jesus. It seems that Jesus was getting bigger crowds than John. The John movement was losing ground in the polls to the Jesus movement. They complained that Jesus was also baptizing and everyone was now going to him. You know how it can rub you the wrong way when another pastor records more baptisms than you. John’s followers were complaining to him about this popularity shift.
John’s response was pointed.
- No one can receive anything unless it is given to him by God.
- I already told you I am not the Christ.
- Jesus is the groom, I’m just the best man.
- My greatest joy is to see Jesus magnified.
- He must increase, I must decrease.
It seems to me that if we are going to approvingly quote this verse, we need to be ready to view ourselves the way John did. Two things stand out about his posture toward the growing popularity of Jesus and his own waning popularity.
We must joyfully embrace the providence of God regarding the reach of our influence. John’s viewpoint was that whatever influence we have has been given to us from God. God ultimately controls whether our circle of influence grows or wanes. The word “must” in verse 30 speaks of divine providence. John was saying, “This is God’s plan. This is how it has to be.” And John didn’t simply resign himself to that providence in frustration. Rather, he embraced it with joy.
We must joyfully celebrate the purpose of God in magnifying Christ through our lives. John knew his role. He was the friend of the groom. His job was not to insert himself as the main character. He was not the headliner. Jesus was. His role was to prepare things for the bridegroom. He rejoiced to hear the bridegroom’s voice. It was John’s great joy to see Jesus getting the attention that He alone deserved.
The truth is that it is hard for American Christians to envision that Jesus’ increasing might really mean our own decreasing. We (I) have a hard time finding joy in the possibility that God might purpose to glorify His Son through personal loss instead of gain, through suffering rather than prosperity, through obscurity rather than popularity. Most of the scenarios for ministry that play in mind always include movement from smaller to larger. John’s words hit hard and cut deep. Amazingly, John is not just OK with God’s plan for his decrease and Jesus’ increase, he is overjoyed about it. Why? Because the most important thing to him was not him. It was the magnification of Jesus.
John 3:30 is a great verse. But it is also a devastating verse. It will explode some of our fantasies about the trajectory of our life or ministry. But if we really start to live it, this truth will be a gateway to a deep and satisfying joy.
