John 3:27-36
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 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. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. [1]
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Humility. It’s been said that humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less. John displays that here. Keep in mind that he was a very popular prophet. Even the Pharisees came out to the desert to hear him. When he challenged Herod and Herodias, he had to be shut up. He had initiated a reform movement or revival in Israel that had gotten the attention of all the people.
But when Jesus shows up, Johns steps aside. He know that his role was one of preparing for the Messiah and pointing to Him. His ministry was never about himself. In fact, I’m sure John would say that his life was never about himself.
He was thinking of himself less. And thinking of Jesus more.
There are many definitions of the word success: Wealth, power, accomplishment, knowledge, influence, status, pleasure. John models success in the kingdom of God: Lifting up Jesus.
This is a text that really speaks to me as a pastor, a ministry leader. Don’t think pastors are immune from ambition and pride. Don’t think there isn’t a temptation to use the ministry to satisfy personal ego. Satan would love nothing better for me to have a ministry in which I become greater and Jesus less. And the sin in me would like that as well.
But it’s not just ministry leaders. It’s all of us. In all that we do. How can I lift up Jesus? How can I display Jesus? How can I live this day as if Jesus lived my life? For He must become greater in me and through me.
So my prayer is that the Spirit beat down the pride within me and the lead me away from the temptation to self-serving, whether in ministry or in life. My prayer is that in me and through me, Jesus become greater and greater.
[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Jn 3:27–36). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
