He Must Increase
He Must Increase, I Must Decrease, the Power of Surrender
In sports, few moments are more symbolic than when a veteran hands the reins to the next generation. One of the clearest examples in NFL history happened in 2001 with the Patriots. A young, relatively unknown quarterback named Tom Brady stepped in midway through the second quarter for an injured Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was the Pats franchise quarterback, an established star, and the face of the team. But after an injury early in the season, Brady took over, forever, shifting NFL history.
What began as a temporary replacement became a permanent turning point. Bledsoe was due back in the same season, but Brady didn’t just fill in, he flourished. And Bledsoe, to his credit, accepted a reduced role with humility, even though it meant stepping out of the spotlight. It was a real-life “passing of the torch” moment, one where identity, pride, and purpose were tested under pressure.
That kind of moment mirrors something far deeper in spiritual life.
Because in the Kingdom of God, there is always a “passing of the torch” happening inside of us. Not from one athlete to another but from self to Savior.
The Voice in the Wilderness Who Knew His Role
John the Baptist was not confused about his identity. Scripture tells us he was a forerunner, a voice crying out in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3).
He had a following. In today’s social media terms, he would have been able to monetize from his platform. People came from all over to hear him preach. He baptized crowds. He had influence, attention, and spiritual authority.
But when Jesus stepped onto the scene, something remarkable happened: John didn’t compete, he submitted.
When his disciples became concerned that Jesus was gaining more attention, John responded with clarity:
“John answered, ‘a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.’” - John 3:27
And then he made the statement that defines every true disciple:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” - John 3:30
John understood something we all have a tough time accepting life is not about building our name, it’s about pointing to the name above all other names.
The Struggle We All Feel: The Desire to Be “QB1”
If we’re honest, most of us don’t naturally live John 3:30. We live more like we’re trying to be the starting quarterback of our own lives.
We want:
Control over our future
Recognition for our achievements
Validation from people
Authority over our own decisions
Comfort that comes with all the above
Even in faith, there are subtly shifts from “He must increase” to “maintain my influence.”
But the gospel consistently pulls us in the opposite direction.
Jesus says:
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” - Luke 9:23
Paul echoes it:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” - Galatians 2:20a
And again:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
This is a complete reorientation of our identity.
What “He Must Increase” Looks Like in Real Life
When John says, “He must increase,” he is not speaking about Jesus becoming more divine, as Jesus already is fully God. Instead, it means Jesus increases in us. We don’t get more of Jesus; he gets more of us.
That shift shows up in everyday life.
1. In our ambition
It means our career is no longer just about promotion, status, or proving ourselves, but about stewardship.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” - Colossians 3:23
A believer doesn’t stop working hard, they stop working for applause.
2. In our relationships
It means we stop demanding to be right all the time.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1
“Christ increasing” is us choosing peace over winning an argument.
3. In our social identity
We live in a culture where identity is constantly performed. Social media rewards attention, comparison, and self-promotion. But Scripture calls us to something different:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
What “I Must Decrease” Actually Means
This is where the message becomes uncomfortable.
“I must decrease” does not mean self-hatred. It does not mean losing identity or value. Scripture is clear: we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and deeply loved (John 3:16).
Instead, it means the flesh loses authority.
Paul describes this internal battle:
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” - Romans 7:19
And then he points to the solution:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16
To decrease self means:
Pride grabs some bench
Ego stops leading decisions
Control is surrendered
Fleshly desires no longer dictate direction
We are spiritually bankrupt, but this doesn’t mean chapter 7 bankruptcy, complete destruction but rather, a restructuring, chapter 13 style. We restructure from lord of self to the Lord of lords.
A Modern “Passing of the Torch” in the Heart
Think again about that NFL moment when a veteran steps aside for a rising player.
There is tension at that moment:
Will I still matter?
What happens to my role?
Do I lose significance?
Spiritually, we face the same tension every day.
But the Kingdom truth is this:
When self steps back, Christ steps forward.
When pride decreases, peace increases.
When control decreases, clarity increases.
When flesh decreases, freedom increases.
Jesus said it this way:
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:36
The Joy John the Baptist Had That We Often Miss
One of the most overlooked details in John’s story is that he was not miserable when Jesus rose in prominence, he was full of joy.
He says:
“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.” - John 3:29
In other words, John wasn’t losing something, he was fulfilling his purpose! That is what we miss when we cling to self. We think decreasing means loss. But in God’s economy, decreasing self leads to increased joy and full surrender under God’s providential plans.
The Daily Surrender We Are Invited Into
“He must increase, I must decrease” is a daily posture. Paul said:
“I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!”- 1 Corinthians 15:31
That means every morning, we are invited into surrender:
“Lord, increase in my thoughts today.”
“Increase in my reactions.”
“Increase in my decisions.”
“Decrease anything in me that resists You.”
It is a continual exchange: my will for His will, my pride for His humility, my strength for His Spirit.
When Decreasing Feels Like Loss
There will be moments when obedience feels like stepping backward:
Saying no to opportunities that feed ego
Letting someone else get credit
Choosing humility when pride wants to rise
Forgiving when revenge feels justified
In those moments, the flesh screams “you’re losing.”
But heaven says, “you are becoming more like Christ.” Not a loss but a transformation.
Final Reflection: The Question That Changes Everything
Every believer eventually faces this question:
Who is increasing in my life—me or Christ?
Because something will always increase. One will take the throne.
John the Baptist shows us the way:
Not self-promotion, but surrender
Not building a name, but pointing to the Name above every name
Not clinging to influence, but releasing it for the sake of Christ
And when we live this way, we discover what Jesus promised:
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” - Matthew 16:25
Closing Thought
Let’s look back to that 2001 Patriots team, Brady started every game the rest of the season, Bledsoe was now a backup. In the AFC championship game, Brady got injured, Bledsoe was back in and led the Pats to a win.
That moment captures something powerful: Bledsoe wasn’t fighting to reclaim the spotlight; he was ready when the team needed him. He had already surrendered the role of “QB1,” but he hadn’t stopped being faithful to the mission. In that sense, Bledsoe embodies the heart of John 3:30. He didn’t need to increase for the team to succeed; the goal was bigger than his name.
John the Baptist lived with that same posture. He didn’t fade away in bitterness when Jesus took center stage, he rejoiced. His purpose was never to be the hero, but to point to the Hero. And like Bledsoe, when the spotlight moved on, John found his joy not in prominence, but in obedience.
Lord, make it so in our lives and may our lives echo his words daily:
He must increase.
I must decrease.
Have questions, need prayer or want to engage, leave a comment below or contact us via email at info@reverentawe.com