Daily Devotionals

Trouble Maker Week 5: Saturday

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

As Jesus began calling His disciples, something interesting happened. People took notice. It is important to understand that Jesus was not the only person who had disciples. Many Jewish rabbis had disciples during Jesus’ day. One person who had disciples was Jesus’ own relative, John the Baptist. Today we will look at John’s response when his disciples pointed out that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John.

 In John chapter 3, John the Baptist’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to Him instead of coming to us” (verse 26). Perhaps John’s disciples expected him to be frustrated or act competitively. He did neither of those things. Instead, John said, “You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for Him’… Therefore, I am filled with joy at His success’” (verses 28-29). Then, he said, “He must become greater, and I must become less and less” (verse 30). John knew his life and ministry were not about him at all; instead, it was all about Jesus. Therefore, he had no competitive bone in his body because he lived to point others to Christ.

Imagine if every Christ-follower adopted John’s statement, “He must become greater, and I must become less and less.” Can you imagine if every person adopted this mentality? What if we all lived with the purpose of making Christ greater and making ourselves less? Let’s follow John’s example: letting go of pride and instead making much of Christ.

Moving toward action

Write John 3:30 on a notecard. Put the notecard somewhere you see it often. Let it remind you every time you see it to make much of Christ by how you live your life. Please plan to make much of Christ by worshiping with us at one of our services this weekend. We will see you there!

Going Deeper

John 3:22-36 (NLT)

"Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew[a] over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”