Daily Verse
Friday, May 15, 2026
Serving with Humility
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Friday's Reflection
John 3:30 — He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptist said this at the peak of his own popularity. His movement was huge. People were coming out to the Jordan River from all over Judea. His disciples were loyal and his reputation was growing. And then Jesus arrived. And the crowds began moving toward Jesus instead of John. John's disciples came to him troubled — Rabbi, the man you baptised, the one you testified about, everyone is going to him now. They expected John to be concerned. He was not.
He must increase, but I must decrease. That is one of the most serene statements in the New Testament. John did not fight for his position. He did not subtly undermine Jesus to keep his following. He did not reframe the situation to make himself look better. He simply told the truth about what was happening and why it was right. He was the friend of the bridegroom, he said — and the friend of the bridegroom does not stand next to the groom and try to share the spotlight. He stands back. He rejoices. He is glad the groom is getting all the attention because he loves the groom.
There is a particular kind of humility that is very rare — the ability to cheer someone else's increase without feeling diminished by your own decrease. To do the work, build the thing, prepare the way, and then step back and let someone else have the credit without bitterness or regret. John had that. He had it because his identity was not wrapped up in the size of his movement. He knew who he was — the voice in the wilderness, the one preparing the way. He had done his job. And he was content.
Prayer: Lord, give us John's contentment — the ability to decrease without bitterness when that is what the moment calls for. May we be more interested in Your increase than in our own. Amen.