An Opportunity to Exalt

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” —John 3:30

During his ministry, John the Baptist experienced something that could have seemed pretty disparaging. One day, as he was baptizing, some of his disciples reported that another guy was doing baptisms and the people were going to him instead (John 3:26).

Yet John says this is exactly what he hoped for. Yes, people are turning away from him, but it’s Jesus they are turning toward!

John was fine with fading into the background. That’s what he wanted in the first place: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Is that what I want, too? Am I fine with my voice fading into background noise, as long as people are turning to Jesus?

Every occasion to insist on my own importance is also an opportunity to exalt Christ. In fact, those moments I feel marginalized in my kingdom work are often my best opportunities to exalt Him. When I say, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” I make much of King Jesus. And if I say it as John did—with a grin on my face—it serves as a living, smiling, invitation.