Scripture: John 3: 22-30
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. (This was before John was put in prison.)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.”
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.’ 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. He must become greater; I must become less.”
Consider:
In John 3:22–30, John the Baptist faces a moment that I believe we all struggle with from time to time… fame vs faithfulness. His disciples are troubled—Jesus is baptizing, and “everyone is going to Him.” This is a very human response to a very human feeling…doing the work and not getting credit for it!! From a human perspective, John’s influence is fading after all the hard work he has done to set the stage for Jesus. But John sees clearly what others miss: this is exactly how it is supposed to be.
John remembers his place as a PART of the larger plan in God’s work. He was never the destination or the end goal. His role was assigned by God, and he refuses to cling to it beyond its purpose. John shows a depth of faithfulness and understanding that we should all work toward…doing the will of God whether we are recognized for it or not.
John also understands his responsibility to Jesus. Faithfulness does not mean competing with Christ for attention—it means gladly stepping aside so Christ can be fully revealed. That is why John can say with joy, not regret: “He must become greater; I must become less.”
This passage invites us to examine our own calling and our understanding of what faith looks like for us. We, too, are part of a chain—receivers of grace and witnesses to Christ. Our success is not measured by how visible we are, but by how clearly Jesus is seen through us.
Respond:
A concrete way to live out our call to serve faithfully, not necessarily visibly, is to intentionally serve where recognition is unlikely, while resisting the need to claim credit. Here are a couple of ways to try:
Celebrate others’ success without comparisonWhen someone else is affirmed, promoted, or praised for kingdom work, verbally thank God for them. John rejoiced that people were going to Jesus, even when it meant his own role was fading.
Practice “quiet obedience”Do at least one act of service each week that you intentionally do not share with others (including on social media). Let God be the only witness. This trains the heart to seek God’s approval rather than human applause.
Pray:
Lord, help us remember that our lives are meant to point to You. Teach us humility enough to understand that our job is to live our lives in such a way that You cannot be missed. May our faithfulness make Your voice louder in this world. Amen.
