“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah 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 now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:28-30
John the Baptist was a dynamic and inspiring leader whose message of repentance had great appeal. However, as numbers in his crowd began to thin and transfer to the ministry of Jesus; a threat to John’s significance emerges and John is asked to weigh in. John explains – once again – that he, John, is not the Messiah. John had already foretold Jesus’ coming, baptized Jesus, revered Jesus as the Lamb of God, and encouraged his followers to do the same. And so, John answers with profound humility, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John was not confused about his role or his ministry and it’s clear he wasn’t disappointed or threatened either. In fact, it made his joy complete!
Whenever I see Fruit of the Spirit, I am reminded that there is a spiritually active choice in play. We do not just make a mental agreement to be more joyful; instead, we rely and surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit – hence joy. John’s joy is a work of the Holy Spirit as well. In fact, John was already filled with the Holy Spirit before he was even born – “leaping for joy” in Elizabeth’s womb. What a great reminder to us that when we, too, have received the power of the Holy Spirit; we can experience true “leaping” joy.
Later in the passage (vs. 31-36), the author, John the Disciple, goes on to further explain the final words of John the Baptist and why we, too, “must become less.” Our joy in humility comes not only from head knowledge and heartfelt desire to point to Jesus; it is a transformative gift from the “limitless” Holy Spirit showing us our earthly limits. We, therefore, have no need to hang our heads in shame that we won’t measure up, panic when our followers are waning, or worry that our successors will surpass our impact and overshadow our contributions. There is no personal territory to defend. We can become less in Spirit-led humility, continue our work of pointing to Christ, and find our joy complete as well.
For further reflection: Read the words of the Apostle Paul:
Philippians 2:1-11 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
by Kris Thulson
