Increase

“And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!’ John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.’” John 3:26-27

Oh no! Jesus is baptizing, and all are coming to Him instead of you, John!

This was an irritation for John’s disciples. Perhaps they enjoyed the attention their leader, John, had received before Jesus came on the scene. Perhaps they thought that only John had the right and authority to baptize, or that only John had the “real” truth. We can’t fault them, really, as they rightly discerned that John did know the truth and did have authority to baptize for the remission of sins. So…what was this Jesus guy doing over there, that all the people wanted to follow Him?

Sadly, this reminds me of some Christians and some churches today. They firmly believe they alone teach the truth, which automatically makes the other guy, or the other church, wrong. Whose baptism is better? Whose teaching is better? And why are so many leaving this ministry for that ministry? Let’s shut them down! Surely they are teaching heresy! Let’s make sure everyone knows what they are doing wrong over there!

I agree 100% with anyone who leaves one ministry due to false teaching, or dead teaching. But to leave one church because it seems that another church is more popular? That should not happen. Our local church body needs us to commit to attending, to give our time and tithe there, and to be involved with the others who attend, using the various gifts and talents God has given each one. Every church has people who have needs that you can meet. Every church has people to love, pray for, and serve.

John gave a great answer. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” In other words, John couldn’t have that ministry unless it was given to him by God. Jesus also had the ministry that was given to Him by God (Luke 4:18-19).

John made sure His disciples had the right attitude about the growth of Jesus’ popularity. In verse 30, he says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John wanted his disciples to completely accept that the ministry of Jesus was going to grow, and his was necessarily going to decrease. It’s how God set it up.

We may find our various areas of service increasing or decreasing. God may change things as we go along. He may have assigned us to meet new needs or minister to a new person or group. Whatever our hand finds to do, may the followers of Jesus increase. We have nothing that did not come from God.

God, thank You for the ministries You have given each of us. May we decrease and Jesus increase. Amen.