“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30
He must increase
It is God’s will. Nothing is more certain than Christ’s glory. Nothing is going to prevent His exaltation. All of creation was brought into being for this purpose. All of creation is sustained for this purpose. The heavens declare it. The rocks are willing to shout it out. History is racing towards it. As sure as the sun rises in the east, the Son will be lifted up. He must increase. The Father will make sure of it. The Spirit will enable it. Man will not impede it. John’s disciples were jealous that the disciples of Jesus were beginning to baptize more people than John. It was time for the bride to be “handed” over to the Bridegroom. John’s disciples saw this as a challenge, John the Baptist saw this as a fulfillment of his calling. He couldn’t have been more pleased. Despite being at the pinnacle of his popularity, John was ready to descend the mountain. John was wise enough to recognize there is only room for one at the top. He prepared the way. Now it was time to move on. His voice was soon to be silenced. If a voice is going to cease, what could be better words to seal the lips, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
I must decrease
John’s was the honor of being the voice in the wilderness. Being the Herald for the King. But now the King had arrived. He was not going to compete with Jesus and neither should we. He encouraged his disciples to follow Christ. John knew he was a man of limitations. Jesus was not. Out of love for his Messiah and his disciples, he encouraged them to abandon him for Christ. How humble of John. He submitted to the sovereignty of God, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from Heaven.” John called people to repentance. He rebuked the religious leaders. He challenged Herod. He even had the honor of baptizing Jesus and announcing Him as the Lamb of God, come to take away the sins of the world. But John was not the Lamb. As he reminded his disciples, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'” John had an important calling, but he knew his place in life. He faithfully performed the task God gave him. He humbly accepted his position. He wisely instructed his jealous followers to follow the Lamb. This is not a contest, lay down your egos and embrace Jesus.
Full joy
Amazing how a man who empties himself becomes full. Decreasing leads to increasing. As we lay aside our pride and empty ourselves for the glory of Christ we are filled with joy. Listen to John’s words, “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.” The voice of one crying in the wilderness gives way to the bridegroom’s voice and greatly rejoices. As a matter of emphasis, he says his joy is now complete! Christ is exalted in the redemption of His Bride, the Church. John, like a selfless best man, is filled with joy as He hears the joy of the Bridegroom. How wise we would be to learn from John.
It was John’s priority to point people to Christ. We should share this priority. John recognized the sovereignty of God and submitted to it. We would be wise to do the same. John had a calling and was faithful to it. Every child of God has a calling, may we also be faithful in Christian service. In humility John emptied himself for the glory of Christ, leading to “complete joy.” Who doesn’t want the same? Sometimes the best gains are obtained through subtractions. Christ can be glorified through the death of our pride. Joy can be obtained by giving up self. Good lessons for the Bride to learn from the “Best Man.”
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot