John 3:22-36; 1 Chronicles 13-14; Zechariah3

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 NKJV) 

John’s disciples and some of the Jewish leaders got into a dispute about the rules of purification. My guess, based on the wording in this section, is that the Jewish leaders tried to minimize John’s importance because people were going to that new guy, Jesus. John’s disciples didn’t like that idea and they went straight to John. If they expected assurance from John about their importance, they didn’t get it. In fact, John told them that it was supposed to happen that way. He knew that people needed to go to Jesus and stop following him. While we know that John had disciples who followed him up until the time of his death (Mark 6:29) John realized that his job had been to prepare the way for Jesus, and now, Jesus’s time had come.

It’s easy to grow accustomed to the applause – or so I’ve heard. We get on social media and want those likes and comments. We want people to recognize our greatness that often only our mothers recognize. (Or perhaps our spouses.) The problem with those desires, though, is that all we do should point people to Jesus. Like John, we must seek even greater things for Jesus, and less for ourselves. If you meet me and think I’m a great fellow, I haven’t made my priorities clear. If you meet me and marvel at the greatness of God, I’ve been successful. 

Lord, let all that I do point people to Your greatness. May my life be a beacon to draw people to You.