Read John 3:22- 3:36
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.”
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John the Baptist was an interesting guy. His life began in a miraculous way, announced by angels and foretold in scripture. He spent the bulk of his ministry in the desert, eating bugs and preaching about making ourselves ready for a messiah who would change everything. It was a big job and not one to be taken lightly. Seemingly unafraid, John pressed on in calling out sin and then ultimately pointing people to Jesus.
What I love most about today’s passage is the joyful humility we see displayed in John’s character. John likens himself to a friend of a bridegroom. One who sees to the needs of his friend and waits for his friend’s big day with great joy and anticipation. But one who recognizes that it’s his friend’s day to stand in the spotlight – despite the work he put into preparing for the day and making sure things were ready. He recognizes that it isn’t about him. And with a smile, he takes a step back to allow people to see and celebrate the arrival of the bridegroom who is ready to take his bride.
There was a time in my life when seemingly every friend I had was getting married. There were bridal showers and dress shopping trips. Bachelorette get togethers and special gifts, all in preparation for their big days. But on the day of their wedding celebrations, I didn’t demand to be recognized for my efforts, I happily stepped aside and smiled as they became the deserved center of attention. All the work and effort was totally worth it! I think that is what John is getting at as he speaks to his own followers. He points them to the joyful realization that everything he has done was for this one purpose – to make Jesus known. To prepare for Jesus to step into the spotlight and claim his creation for himself – his beloved bride, making a way of salvation for any who would believe in him. John sums his own function up with one short sentence – “He must become greater; I must become less.”
The same applies to our lives and we strive to live in joyful humility in our earthly relationships and in our relationship with God. Joyful humility shows up in the way we serve others – expecting nothing in return and celebrating the successes of others. It also shows up when we give God the credit He deserves for the good things in our lives that come from Him.
