John 3:22-36 Jesus Must Increase, But I Must Decrease

John 3:22-36 Jesus Must Increase, But I Must Decrease

SCENE 1 – “He must increase, but I must decrease”

Repeat this with me: “He must increase, but I must decrease”

SCENE 2 – Competition about Baptism

The Scene: There is a competition between baptismal leaders.

Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing–and everyone is flocking to Him.”

(John 3:25-26 HCSB)

The scene now shifts to the work of the Baptist with his disciples (3:22–36) and it makes one point: Jesus’ baptism is superior: “He must become greater; I must become less” (3:30).1

We just had a baptism today. Just like in those days, there were people baptizing in different places.

What was the dispute? Was it the “method of purification?” Was it how they were baptized? Was it differently than before? “Was it the style of baptism?”

So what’s the dispute over purification? We can only guess. Maybe it went something like this. A Jewish man says to John’s disciples: “Look, you are baptizing lots of people. It looks like a kind of bath or purification. But more and more people are leaving your movement and going over to that other group gathering around Jesus. So what’s the deal with his baptism and your baptism? Does his work and yours doesn’t? Does his really make people pure and yours fails?”2

It appears that some of John’s disciples started the argument. It began on doctrinal grounds—the matter of purifying—but soon moved to personal grounds.3

So, while the controversy was baptism, the idea of a competition between styles is very relevant today:

Do we argue over styles of worship?

Do we argue over styles of leadership?

Do we argue over styles of management?

SCENE 3 – Submission

The Answer to Competition: Submission

He must increase, but I must decrease.

(John 3:30 HCSB)

John the Baptist modeled submission.

Out of this discussion, a statement is thrown at the Baptist that surely could have been an opening for a jealous explosion. This must have come from John’s own disciples, for they address him as “Rabbi.” They speak of One who was with John beyond the Jordan to whom he bore witness. Surely, Jesus, whose name is not mentioned here, must have been in the company of the Baptist longer than we assume. Then these disciples report, “He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” It is almost as if they are saying, “He is getting into our territory, taking over what you, John, were called to do.” What an opportunity for John to strike back.

How difficult it is for those of us who are so-called spiritual leaders to handle the success of some other brother and “his church” down the street. Think of how easy it is to be subtly or openly critical of, or envious of some great church and its pastor and try to imitate them. It can be difficult to pray for him and his people and to rejoice in his spiritual victories.

But John is spiritually mature and sensitive, a true man of God. He is profoundly aware that anyone can only be and do what God gives him. He cannot take by force what only heaven can give. Each of us is to be content and faithful with his gifts and his own calling. So John reiterates what he has so emphatically stated before, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him” (v. 28).4

John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’

(John 3:27-28 HCSB)

This has enormous implications for our relationships:
SCENE 4: Who Is Submitting?

Our marriage relationships – who is submitting? What happens when we compete? We split and divorce. When I compete for the attention and I stop submitting to my wife, I run the risk of losing my wife because of my selfishness.

Our work relationships – who is submitting? Are you submitting to your boss graciously? Or are you taking every chance you have to do evil against him/her? While it is ok to work hard and seek promotions, it should not be with an evil intent. We must learn to submit to our leaders.

Our friendships – who is submitting?

The Reason to Submit: The Show is about Him

He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete.

(John 3:29 HCSB)

Illustration: The Best Man

Our problem is that we want to be the groom, and it’s not even our party.

Illustration: President and Vice-President

The President was inaugurated this week. It was historic. But the same idea of submission applies, even in our governmental structure. The Vice President submits to the President.

“He must increase, but I must decrease”

So how can I begin to let Jesus be increased in my life, and how can I decrease myself in importance?

How can I let Jesus become more important in my life, while I become less important?

How can Jesus become the Center, while I step out to the sidelines?

Jesus must grow in my life, while I must fade out.

What am I going to do to stop competing with others and start submitting? What am I going to do to let Jesus be the Center of my life? How can I make Jesus more than just Someone I get to know, and become Someone Whom I want to follow? This is the challenge that John the Baptist showed us. He gives us a model to follow. We don’t try to compete with Jesus but submit to Jesus.

I must decrease so that Jesus may increase. The sooner we learn this, the better our life will be. You must decrease so that Jesus may increase, because it is all about Him.

QUESTIONS:

1. How do I let arguments over insignificant things bother me? What are some things that I argue about (with my spouse or someone else) which are really not useful?

2. Where have I been competing, when I should have been submitting?

3. In what relationships do I need to give up control and learn to start being more faithful and submissive?

4. Is there a relationship in which I need to repair because of my controlling/competing nature?

5. What area do I need to let Jesus take center stage? How will I start to let Him do that?