22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet thrown into prison. 25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. 26 They came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease."

John 3:22-30 - World English Bible

In these passages, the evangelist mentioned that Jesus himself baptized people at the same time John exercised his ministry. The competition between two raised some questions about purification. In other words, which baptism prepared the believer for the Kingdom? Put another way, which baptizer truly reflected the message of God? After all, the authentic prophet would have the authentic baptism. Underneath that controversy lay a problem that prompted the discussion; Jesus' ministry eclipsed John's.

John answered both the question and the problem. He was not the Christ, Jesus was. So, the message and baptism of Jesus were greater. He prepared the way for the Anointed, his message and his baptism. The followers of John should not be concerned or angry over the decline of his ministry, but rejoice like the best man at a wedding. John must decrease, while Jesus must increase.

Have you felt jealous over the success of others? How can you turn that jealousy into rejoicing?