John 3:30 – He is the Main Character

“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

In this verse John the Baptist is responding to his followers pointing out that people are no longer coming to him to be baptized, but are now going to Jesus instead. In the rest of his response he reminds them that he never claimed to be the Messiah, but had been “sent ahead,” to prepare the way for Him (John 3:28). He explains that his role inevitably had to fade, for Christ’s time had come.

From a worldly perspective, one might think that this transition is made with a heavy heart and a loss of identity; like the person who is forced to retire early because someone new has taken their job; like the parent watching their child grow to fill their role with independence, friends, a spouse, and a life of their own; or like an athlete losing their position to another who is out performing them. Fortunately, these worldly examples do not mirror John’s story.  John makes clear that this transition is made with a heart “full of joy,” in the coming of the Lord and Savior (John 3:29).  John knows that he is just a man and that his job never was to be the Savior. Like John, our lives are not the main story. Like John, we are not even the leading actor in our own life story.  Like John, we should eagerly do the work that Christ has given us to do for however long He has given us to do it. If we live in this way, our lives will have eternal significance; not because of us, but because our lives directed others to Jesus. Like John, if our lives are lived in humble service of the Savior, we will be “full of joy,” and we are promised the peace of God which “surpasses all understanding,” (John 3:29, Phil. 4:7).

If not being the main character of your own story sounds like a sad and silly untruth, or you believe your actions are significant without Christ, consider the following questions: what are the names of the Emperor’s who ruled the most people and territory for the longest period of time? What are the names of your great great great grandmothers? The truth is, even the “greatest” are forgotten, and eventually even our own family will not even remember our names. Our lives are truly “like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales,” (Isa. 40:15-18). And yet, because of Jesus, we are given lives of tremendous significance and value “those who believe[] in his name, he [gives] the right to become children of God,” (John 1:12). When we choose to live for Christ we exchange forgettable worldly success for eternally significant work for the kingdom of God. We exchange self-righteous, vain pursuits that leave us with fleeting worldly recognition for humble, other-centered, work that is fulfilling on earth and rewarded in Heaven. We exchange self-indulgent unhappiness, ingratitude, and worry for God given joy and contentment. We exchange eternal wrath and rejection for eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us hope, for we know that our lives are but dust without you. Help us to see ourselves humbly and to perform our work for your kingdom with the joy that only you can provide.