John 3:30 30It is necessary for that one to increase, but for me to decrease.”
This short statement from John has historical and spiritual significance. Historically, it places John in second position to Jesus and directly answers the comment of the Jew in verse 26. John was very popular among people, with many from all over Judea going out to the wilderness to hear him and be baptized by him. Word about John had spread far and wide. He brought excitement and anticipation to people. It had been over four hundred years since Israel had seen a prophet of this level of powerful words. The Jews had been hoping for God’s Messiah to come and right the wrongs done to them. John fit many of their expectations. It may have been shocking to them to hear him say these words.
Spiritually, John had to take second position when so many people were giving him attention. It would have been tempting to most people to accept people’s praise and admiration and let it go to one’s head. John could have seized the moment and taken advantage of being the focus. But he did not. He lived what he preached. He knew he needed to step aside and put the focus on Jesus. There was still a ministry of preparation to do because many people were not ready for the Messiah. The call to repentance never ends. But it was time to submit to the greater person of Jesus.
John’s words and example point to the type of attitude every disciple must have. The greatest human temptation ever since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is to put ourselves first. Various names are given for this including sin, selfishness, and pride. We are very creative in how we put ourselves first, including anger, jealousy, dominance and abuse of others, subtle jabs of ridicule that make ourselves look better than others, and many other actions. As we meet Jesus, we learn of his greatness and how he calls us to give up ourselves so that we can find who God has created us to be. The sanctified life is one that echoes this verse. Only in exalting Jesus can we find our true purpose in life. When he is first, the other areas of our lives fit into a beautiful puzzle. John the author later records how Jesus called his disciples to a life of love. Obedience to the call of love requires us to live out John the Baptist’s statement in this verse.
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