Overview:
John 3:22–36
John the Baptizer built a following of thousands of people, not to keep them for himself but to point them to Jesus. John’s mission as forerunner to Jesus was to clear the way, prepare the way, and get out of the way! Hearing that Jesus’ ministry was growing, John humbly replied, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). Joy comes from obedience, not getting glory.
Message Summary:
In this message centering on John 3:22–36, Chuck Swindoll examines the rare and defining quality of humility through the life of John the Baptist. Swindoll notes that while a forerunner’s first two tasks—clearing the way and preparing the way—are difficult, the third task is the hardest of all: getting out of the way [8–9]. The narrative focuses on a potential conflict arising when Jesus begins baptizing in the Judean countryside, effectively moving into John’s territory and drawing crowds away from him.
When John’s disciples try to incite jealousy by pointing out that “everyone is going to Him,” John refuses to be baited. Instead, he demonstrates why Jesus later called him the greatest man ever born of woman. Swindoll outlines John’s four-part reaction to losing his congregation: he acknowledges that God is sovereign over all promotion; he accepts his specific role without needing to be the Messiah; he expresses pure joy at the “Bridegroom’s” success; and he adopts the foundational motto of ministry: “He must increase, but I must decrease”.
The sermon concludes by distinguishing between envy and jealousy and warning believers against the traps of comparison. Whether addressing a businessman facing a younger competitor or a musician losing their gift, Swindoll urges listeners to surrender the need for preeminence, finding delight in being “second place” as long as Christ is in first place [28–29].
Message Key Facts:
- Principal Kairens: Swindoll opens with a story from William Barclay about a humble British headmaster who, when applauded by a crowd, stepped aside and applauded the man behind him, assuming the praise was for another. This illustrates genuine humility—it never dawns on the humble person that the applause is for them.
- The Greatest Man: Jesus stated that among those born of women, none has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Swindoll argues this wasn’t because of John’s public appeal (he was austere, weird, and a loner who wouldn’t be hired by a modern church board), but because he performed the task of “getting out of the way” with absolute delight [6–9].
- The Conflict at Aenon: Jesus and His disciples moved into the Judean countryside to “rub lives” together and baptize. This was John’s territory. The proximity created a perfect setup for rivalry, leading John’s disciples to complain, “Rabbi… He is baptizing and all are coming to Him” [10–13].
- Moses and the Mavericks: Swindoll parallels John’s situation with Numbers 11, where Joshua urged Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying in the camp. Like John, Moses refused to be jealous, wishing instead that all God’s people were prophets [14–15].
- God as the Promoter: John’s first reaction to the news of Jesus’ success was theological: “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” He understood that God is the one who promotes and demotes, a truth echoed in Psalm 75 [17–18].
- The Friend of the Bridegroom: John compares himself to the “shoshben” (the groom’s friend). In that culture, this friend guarded the bridal chamber door. His joy was not in entering the chamber, but in hearing the groom’s voice, signaling that the groom had arrived safely. John’s joy was complete in hearing Jesus’ voice, not in maintaining his own crowds [23–25].
- Envy vs. Jealousy: Swindoll distinguishes the two:
- Envy: Has empty hands and wants them full (resenting those who have what you lack).
- Jealousy: Has full hands and never wants them empty (fearing the loss of what you possess to another). John succumbed to neither.
- George Whitefield’s Humility: Swindoll quotes the 18th-century evangelist who, when warned about his enemies, replied, “I know worse things of myself than they will ever say about me.” This reflects the self-awareness of a truly humble servant.
Message References:
- John 3:22–36: The primary text detailing the rise of Jesus’ ministry and John’s humble response.
- John 3:30: The central motto of the message: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- Numbers 11:26–29: The Old Testament parallel where Moses refuses to be jealous for his own sake regarding Eldad and Medad.
- Psalm 75:6–7: “For not from the east, nor from the west… comes exaltation. But God is the judge; He puts down one and exalts another.”
- Matthew 11:11 / Luke 7:28 (Referenced): Jesus’ declaration: “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist.”
