An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." John 3:25-26
I have to giggle every time I read verse 25, because in saying "a certain Jew", John lets us know that he likely well knows who a certain Jew is, and that this is likely not the first time they've verbally jousted. It is easy to read scripture and see its players two dimensionally. John the Baptist is a unique and spiritually gifted man, but he is a man, and it would be easy to get caught up in his fame and notoriety. He does not, and he models for us exactly what it ought to look like to serve his heavenly father. The Apostle Paul makes it clear just what it is that John understands and has come to grips with.
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:3-7
Our human nature wants to make sure we get proper credit, but John had figured out just exactly what his place was in God's regenerative story, and responded to his followers in the perfect way.
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 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 3:27-30
"He must become greater; I must become less."
For most of my adult life, I have lived on my own. I am always the driver. Now this doesn't happen often, but if you were to eyeball me in a car when someone else is driving, you would discover that even though I am a passenger, I still find myself trying to steer and step on the brakes. I am used to being the guy in charge. John the Baptist understood his role. His was to be the herald of the coming Messiah. When the time had come, he stepped aside and let Jesus do the driving. Jesus has the best driving record ever, and if you and I are willing to step aside and let Him drive, we will get exactly where we need to go. "Thank you for the lesson, J the B!"
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
"I must become less."
by Bruce Hanson
