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Killing the Comparison Game

Scripture:

22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people. 23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John's disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John's disciples came to him and said, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us." 27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.' 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:22-30 NLT

Are these guys really upset that people are getting baptized by the Messiah instead of their guy, John the Baptist? It seems crazy, but how many of us get caught in the same traps of division and comparison? Let’s talk though it now!

Observation:

“Everybody is going to him instead of coming to us…”

There was a debate that broke out one day, and it appears that it started with jealousy. John’s disciples were offended because people started going to Jesus for their cleansing needs instead of to them and their leader, John.

Have you ever felt that kind of frustration? Maybe you had a thing that was your thing, like playing basketball. Then one day, your little brother decides he wants to play basketball too. Now instead of both of your parents being at your games, one of them is always missing because they are at your brothers' games. Doesn’t feel great. The temptation to compare yourself to your brother and compete with him instead of rooting for him would probably be pretty high. That’s the trap John’s disciples fell into in this passage. Even though Jesus is literally the Son of God, these guys allowed comparison to cloud their vision and cause division.

In moments where we are tempted to compare ourselves to others or fight with them over something that doesn’t really matter, can we remember to keep the main thing, the main thing? That’s exactly where John goes with his response. He reminds his students that what they were doing was never about him and it was never about them. It was always all about Jesus. That’s why John says: 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

In our lives, when we see Jesus for who He really is and we put all our trust in Him, He becomes our main thing. Our lives are no longer about us and our brand, they are about Jesus and His kingdom.

Application:

Let’s work to keep the main thing, the main thing. Fight the temptation of comparison and division by reminding yourself who your life, as a follower of Jesus, is really all about—Jesus.

Prayer:

Jesus, I want your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Would you help me release the tendency I have to compare myself to others? And would you teach me how to keep the main thing, the main thing? I want to live, all in, for you today. I love you. Amen.