John 3:30

 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Have you ever thought about this verse?  John the Baptist was talking. They were asking John why he wasn’t upset about Jesus coming on the scene and stealing his ministry. John replied to them in this way. Think about that. John was the one everyone was coming to for baptism, and now Jesus was the one they were following.

John the Baptist was given a command. He was supposed to prepare the way for Jesus.

Isaiah 40:3

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Mark 1:2-8

“As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

Luke 3:3-4

“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

John knew what his ministry was and knew what had to happen. He had to decrease so Jesus could increase. We too have been given a command.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Matthew 5:14-16

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Have you figured it out yet? It is not about us. John did not come to set up his own religion or party and neither should we. We must make a decision every day to let Jesus shine through us instead of the spotlight being on us. Make sure to remember Jesus, as you go through your daily agenda. He is the only one who deserves all the glory. So, are you going to let Him increase while you decrease?