John 3:22-36 (ESV)

²² After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. ²³ John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized ²⁴ (for John had not yet been put in prison). ²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” ²⁷ John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ ²⁹ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. 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. ³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.” ³¹ He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. ³³ Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. ³⁴ For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

After Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, he and his disciples traveled into the region of Judea. Although Jerusalem is in Judea, they left the city and went into the country. While in Judea, Jesus and his disciples gained a following, and Jesus oversaw the baptisms his disciples performed. Some of John the Baptist’s disciples didn’t understand why people were going to Jesus instead of their leader, John. They wondered, “Why are his disciples baptizing too? We thought people were supposed to come to us for baptism. What is going on?” John responded to his own disciples by explaining, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” John clearly understood that God is the one who calls a person to her job, position, or status. John realized he was there to bring glory to God. He was in no way envious of what God had given to Jesus. In fact, he rejoiced when he saw that others were leaving him and following the Lord. John knew he was not the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom. At a wedding, the attention is rightly fixed on the bride and the groom, not the wedding party. In fact, the wedding party is called to serve the bride and the groom. John was thrilled that others were turning to Jesus.

John adds an incredibly profound statement in verse 30. He declares, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He didn’t say he may increase, or I hope he increases, but he must increase. We can forget that this life and the life to come are about God and his glory. He embraces us, cleanses us, adopts us, and uses us in his program, but the goal of all of this is to point back to him. Those who don’t understand the nature and grandeur of God may think, “How narcissistic of God!” Well, sure, if God weren’t really God, then he would seem overly self-involved. But let us never forget that he is God! The reality is that all exists because of him and all exists for him. Of course he should increase! May we stop and consider God today. Are your daily choices bringing glory to God? If so, then let us go on to rejoice, remembering that Jesus is the bridegroom, and he has made us his bride! Things don’t get better than that!