I must become less

During my personal Bible study tonight, a moment in the story of John jumped off the page at me. To set the story, “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, John and Jesus are both baptizing people in water. “There was plenty of water” the Bible tells us. In other words, enough room for both of them to baptize.

Some people notice that more are going to Jesus for baptism instead of John. After all, John baptized people first… he even baptized Jesus himself! An argument ensues and is brought to John: “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 ‭NIV‬‬

John doesn’t take the bait, he doesn’t let the spirit of pride or jealousy in. He reminds them of what he taught them when he began his ministry of baptism: “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.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John then goes on to make it clear that he was part of a bigger purpose: “He must become greater; I must become less.””

‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It can be difficult to not let pride or jealousy sneak in when you see someone you helped or mentored get ahead and not you. Pause and realize, you had a part, a joyful part of a larger plan. Pride and jealously are from the enemy, but Joy, Joy is from God.