February 15, 2026

40 DAYS OF DECREASE: JOHN’S CASE STUDY

In the Kingdom of God, greatness doesn’t come from addition. It often comes from subtraction—decrease. Decrease can often be a turning point for seeing Christ more clearly in our lives.

Lent is the Christian season of intentional decrease. Decrease is not losing something… It’s making room for Someone. And that someone is always Jesus.

If Lent had a spokesperson, it would be John the Baptizer:

John 3:26, “…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.” (NLT)

John’s disciples wanted to make sure that John was aware of what was going on… “Everybody is going to Jesus instead of coming to us!”

How do you handle it when God seems to bless others more than you?

John 3:27-28, “John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’” (NLT)

Louie Giglio says, “admitting we are not God—not in control, not running anything, not responsible for everyone’s well-being, not the solution for everything and everyone, not at the center of all things—doesn’t belittle us; it frees us.”

John 3:28b-29, “‘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 bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.” (NLT)

John didn’t lose joy when he lost the spotlight—he actually found it!! Joy doesn’t come from being seen—it comes from being faithful.

What would it look like if your life made Jesus easier to see? Are you preparing the way for Jesus in your school? Workplace? Family? Do you prepare the way for the presence of Jesus?

John 3:30, “He [Jesus] must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (NLT)

This is the entire Christian life in one sentence.

How committed are you to seeing Jesus clearly? Do you really want Jesus to increase in your life? Are you willing to decrease?

John 3:31, “He [Jesus] has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.” (NLT)