He Must Increase

Born from Above · John 3

Story guide: John the Baptist in his woven outer robe responds joyfully to two concerned disciples beside the waters. John’s disciples bring their concern about Jesus.

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25Then a dispute arose between John's disciples and a Jew about purification.

26And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have borne witness—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27John answered and said, “A man is not able to receive even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven.”

28You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’

29The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine has been made complete.

30He must increase, but I must decrease.

31The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is from the earth and speaks from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.

32What he has seen and heard, this he testifies to, and no one receives his testimony.

33Whoever has received his testimony has certified that God is true.

34For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

35The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

36The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

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