That Other Verse in John 3 (John 3)

John 3 contains the most famous verse in the Bible. Even most Americans who know next to nothing about the Bible can quote John 3:16. I remember as a teenager in the 80's that John 3:16 was an omnipresent sign at sporting events. In particular, I remember this guy who would wear a rainbow wig, like a clown would wear. He also wore a white T-shirt. And on that T-shirt was black lettering that said John 3:16. (Sometimes he would wear other messages, but John 3:16 was the most popular). That guy showed up at golf tournaments and football games. It seemed like he got on camera at every major national sporting event. Through his work, and the work of others, John 3:16 became an iconic part of American culture.

For all its fame, John 3:16 is not my favorite verse in John 3. Certainly, I appreciate John 3:16's clear message of God's love for the world. But as a Christian, I have come to appreciate John the Baptist's word in John 3:30. In John 3, the crowds that follow John are diminishing. John's disciples become concerned. They ask John why everyone is following Jesus instead of following Him. For many religious leaders today, a diminishing crowd would be viewed as a marketing problem. They would be seeking the help of a PR firm to get their followers back. But John has a clear sense of his purpose. He knows that he was to pave the way for Jesus' coming. So in John 3:30, John says: "He must increase, but I must decrease."

In some ways, I think that verse is a simple formula for the Christian life. In everything, Christ must increase while we decrease. In our desires, in our plans, in our quest for glory, we must makes ourselves nothing, while Christ becomes everything.

Yes, John 3:16 is a great verse. It deserves the publicity it has gotten. However, John 3:30 is worth remembering as well.