He Must Increase

John 3:22-36 – He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

After the powerful words of Jesus to Nicodemus about the new birth and the love of God in sending His Son, the Gospel of John shifts to an important moment in the ministry of John the Baptist. This passage shows the humility of John and the supremacy of Christ, giving us a vital picture of how every believer should respond to Jesus.

John 3:22-24 describes how Jesus and His disciples were baptizing in the region of Judea, while John the Baptist continued his ministry in another area. Both were calling people to repentance and preparing them for the kingdom of God. The scene sets the stage for a discussion about identity, authority, and the glory of Christ.

A dispute arises in verse 25, where some of John’s disciples seem concerned that people are going to Jesus instead of their teacher. They say, “Rabbi, He who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, He is baptizing, and all are going to Him.” From their perspective, this might have felt like competition. But John corrects them with one of the clearest and most humble statements in all of Scripture.

In verse 27, John says, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” He reminds his followers that everything he has, including his ministry, is a gift from God. He then clarifies his role: he is not the Christ, but the one sent before Him. To explain this, John uses the image of a wedding. The friend of the bridegroom rejoices at the bridegroom’s voice. His joy is complete, not because the bride comes to him, but because the groom has arrived. Likewise, John rejoices that Christ is gathering His people to Himself.

Then John speaks the words that should mark every true disciple of Christ: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (v. 30). This is not only a statement about John’s ministry but also a principle for all of life. The Christian walk is about magnifying Christ and diminishing self. True joy is found not in our own recognition but in Christ being exalted.

The passage continues in verses 31-36 with a reflection on the superiority of Jesus. He is from above, while all others are from the earth. His testimony is the very Word of God, for He speaks the words of God without measure, having the Spirit in fullness. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

This section also gives a clear statement of the Gospel. Verse 36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Here we see the glorious promise of salvation through faith in Christ alone, but also the sobering reality of judgment for those who reject Him. Eternal life is not earned but received through faith in the Son. On the other hand, those who continue in unbelief remain under God’s wrath, for apart from Christ there is no salvation.

The testimony of John the Baptist points us to the supremacy of Christ. Our purpose, like his, is not to draw attention to ourselves but to make much of Jesus. In a world where self-promotion is celebrated, this passage calls us to humility, joy in Christ, and faithful witness to His glory.

Conclusion

John the Baptist teaches us that joy comes not from building our own name but from seeing Jesus exalted. He must increase, we must decrease. Christ is supreme over all, and eternal life is found only in Him. The question is simple: do we rejoice in Christ’s glory, or are we seeking our own? May we follow John’s example, pointing others to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day. Please visit us at faithrecoveryfellowship.org for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

Until we meet again beloved, lets go serve our King!

FRF Family