He Must Become Greater
Key Point
We need to let Jesus become greater, and we need to become less! This desire goes against our natural instinct. He must become greater
About the Story
We are continuing through the book of John. Today we read John 3: 22 – 36. This passage is interesting because it takes place near Jesus, and we learn something significant through a man called – John the Baptist.
John the Baptist, he would have been known for baptizing people in the name of the Lord and would have been considered a prophet, meaning he held people to a high point of morality or was outspoken in his beliefs. So much so he probably annoyed a few people!
I don’t love it when people point out the things I am doing wrong! Anyway, we see individuals in this story notice that Jesus, a man who had been spoken about by John himself – is across the river, also baptizing people. The individuals talking to John recognize that many people, perhaps most of them, are going to Jesus, Rather than John.
The people seem to be complaining or pointing this out to John as if he didn’t know. Or they wanted him to get angry and frustrated. As if they were two store owners competing for “sales” and happened to be right across the street from each other!
That seems like it would have been a little awkward. Like competing to baptize people?? A little strange, no?
It isn’t exactly like that and here is where we get the lesson from today; which is, He Must Become Greater.
We need to let Jesus become greater, and we need to become less! This desire goes against our natural instinct. He must become greater.
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Application
John’s Desire to see Jesus become greater is amazing. John is super humble and gracious. It’s inspiring. Not only does he speak about that specific moment in time about becoming less to not overshadow or compete with Jesus’ ministry, but it speaks to us today. We can become less!
We get to apply that same thought today. So when you and I become too self-focused, we need to make ourselves less, think of ourselves less, acknowledge what we have done less and continue pointing to God and what he has done!
We all can do this. Unfortunately, we, as people, are selfish and sinful. But we get to recognize that and share that with God and continue to ask God to help us glorify Him! In the end, it’s just not about us.
Yet somehow that feels more exciting than it does sad. I am fine with it not being about me because God is WAAAY greater. So to say it one more time – our lesson for today is He must become Greater!
