"he must increase"
Pastor Frank Park | Founding and Senior Pastor
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” - John 3:30
In John 3:22–36, both Jesus and John the Baptist are baptizing people about 30 miles apart. John’s ministry came first; he was the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way. But now, Jesus; the very One John had been pointing to had arrived. And people began to notice. Crowds began to gather around Jesus. His ministry was growing, while John’s was shrinking. Jesus was trending on X and John’s was not.
Some of John’s followers didn’t take this well. They came to him concerned, even jealous: “Rabbi, the man you testified about is baptizing, and everyone is going to him!” (v.26). In other words: “Aren’t you upset? He’s stealing your spotlight and it’s not looking good for us!”
But John wasn’t threatened; he was thrilled. He said, “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.” (v.29). John knew his place. He wasn’t the bridegroom; Jesus was. He was simply the best man, whose joy was complete when the groom took center stage. How inappropriate it would be for the best man to try to outshine the groom on the wedding day!
John understood something we often forget: IT’S NOT ABOUT US
In a culture obsessed with self-promotion, platform-building, and personal branding, John’s humility stands in sharp contrast. He wasn’t building a brand, he was building a bridge. A bridge that led others straight to Jesus.
John’s words echo across the centuries:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Imagine how different our families, marriages, and friendships would be if we lived by that truth. What if our goal wasn’t to be seen, but to help others see Jesus? What if our greatest joy wasn’t being praised, but pointing praise away from ourselves and toward Him?
Reflection Questions:
In John 3:22–36, both Jesus and John the Baptist are baptizing people about 30 miles apart. John’s ministry came first; he was the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way. But now, Jesus; the very One John had been pointing to had arrived. And people began to notice. Crowds began to gather around Jesus. His ministry was growing, while John’s was shrinking. Jesus was trending on X and John’s was not.
Some of John’s followers didn’t take this well. They came to him concerned, even jealous: “Rabbi, the man you testified about is baptizing, and everyone is going to him!” (v.26). In other words: “Aren’t you upset? He’s stealing your spotlight and it’s not looking good for us!”
But John wasn’t threatened; he was thrilled. He said, “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.” (v.29). John knew his place. He wasn’t the bridegroom; Jesus was. He was simply the best man, whose joy was complete when the groom took center stage. How inappropriate it would be for the best man to try to outshine the groom on the wedding day!
John understood something we often forget: IT’S NOT ABOUT US
In a culture obsessed with self-promotion, platform-building, and personal branding, John’s humility stands in sharp contrast. He wasn’t building a brand, he was building a bridge. A bridge that led others straight to Jesus.
John’s words echo across the centuries:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Imagine how different our families, marriages, and friendships would be if we lived by that truth. What if our goal wasn’t to be seen, but to help others see Jesus? What if our greatest joy wasn’t being praised, but pointing praise away from ourselves and toward Him?
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life are you tempted to compete instead of celebrate when God blesses someone else?
- Are you building a brand for yourself, or a bridge to Jesus?
- What would it look like today for you to decrease so that Christ might increase?