“He must become greater; I must become less.” (NIV)

This is a dangerous verse; when taken out of context it can cause Christians to believe a lie. This verse is not written about Christians in general. It does not say that Christ must become greater, and Christians must become less. This verse is a quote from John the Baptist and it is about him and him alone.

Before Jesus arrived upon the scene John the Baptist was the greatest prophet in all of Israel. People were streaming into the desert to hear him preach and to be baptized by him. God had lifted him up in order that people would be looking at him when he pointed to Jesus. When Jesus arrived, John the Baptist was quick to point him out as the Messiah. When his disciples complained that the reputation of Jesus was growing greater than John’s, John told them that this was the source of his greatest joy. John rejoiced that Christ was being lifted up higher than John ever was. He told his disciples that Christ must become greater still and John must step down from the spotlight. He is not saying that he must become little or small and he is not saying that he must decrease into insignificance. John the Baptist is telling his disciples that he must be less than Jesus. However, until the day of his beheading John the Baptist never ceased to preach repentance and the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. John the Baptist was beheaded because he insisted upon living boldly as he pointed to Jesus.

Some Christians totally misunderstand the concept of balance in their relationship with Christ. We do not lift up Christ by putting ourselves down. We cannot and must not try to hide ourselves behind Christ. Many in the world will only recognize Jesus because they see Christians pointing to him. If we are small or invisible they may never see Jesus. God builds us up so our lives lift up Jesus to the world.