Greater Versus Less

Today’s reading: John 3:22-36, 4:1-3

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬

Competition doesn’t seem to be something we need to be taught. We lean toward feeling threatened when someone gets credit that we thought we were due. In this passage, we see John being superseded by Jesus. Yet John appears to be glad to fulfill the role that God has called him toward. As he is declaring the greatness of Jesus over himself, he lays out some amazing teaching.

We will only reach our full effectiveness in the kingdom of God as we do the same as John. We have to realize our role as Jesus glorifiers. We are not here to build a name or kingdom for ourselves. We are, instead, here to ensure that the generations to come know just how amazing our Savior really is.

The words “increase” (αὐξάνω, auxanō) and “decrease” (ἐλαττόω, elattoō) are words used in an astrological sense of a sinking old star and the rising of a new star. (Krause/Bryant)

May we angle to reveal Jesus’ fame at all times.