John 3:22-26: in context

As both Jesus and John the Baptist are baptizing, John's disciples come to him troubled. Rabbi, they say, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you testified, behold, he is baptizing, and everyone is coming to him. There is jealousy in their words, a concern on their master's behalf that Jesus is drawing away the crowds. John's answer, which follows, is his famous he must increase, but I must decrease; but the disciples' complaint reveals the temptation they felt: to resent another's rising when it seemed to eclipse their own.

The disciples' words expose a common temptation: to resent another's success or rising influence, especially when it seems to come at our own expense or eclipse us. John's disciples were troubled that Jesus was drawing the crowds that had come to John; their master, as they saw it, was being overshadowed, and they resented it. It is a jealousy that arises easily, the discomfort we feel when another rises, succeeds, is preferred, or draws the attention or approval we or our side had. The disciples felt it on John's behalf, and it troubled them. This searches a jealousy we all know. When another person succeeds where we have not, rises in influence or reputation, is preferred or praised, especially when it seems to eclipse us or our side, we can feel the pull of jealousy and rivalry, resenting their rising rather than rejoicing in it. It is hard to be glad at another's success when it seems to come at our expense, to celebrate another's rising when it overshadows our own. But this jealousy is a form of the pride and self-seeking that Scripture calls us to lay aside. And John's response points to the freedom beyond it. He did not share his disciples' jealousy; he answered, he must increase, but I must decrease, rejoicing in Christ's rising even as his own role diminished. John was free from the need to be preeminent, free to rejoice in another's increase. Moses, when told that others were prophesying, said, would that all the LORD's people were prophets; he was free from jealousy for his own position. And Paul, when Christ was preached even by rivals, said, in this I rejoice. The freedom from jealousy is the freedom to rejoice in another's success rather than resent it. This calls us to rejoice in others' rising rather than resent it. John's disciples were tempted, as we are, to resent another's success that seemed to eclipse their master; but John rejoiced that Christ must increase, free from the jealousy that resents another's rising. And we are called to the same freedom: to rejoice in the success and rising of others rather than resenting it, to be glad when another is preferred or praised, to celebrate another's increase even when it overshadows our own. Let us lay aside the jealousy that resents another's rising, and be free, as John was, to rejoice in the success of others and in the increase of Christ above all.

When another succeeds where I have not, rises in influence or reputation, or is preferred and praised, especially when it seems to eclipse me or my side, do I feel the pull of jealousy and resent their rising, and can John, whose disciples were troubled that Jesus drew the crowds but who himself rejoiced that Christ must increase, free me from the jealousy that resents another's success, so that I rejoice in the rising of others rather than resenting it, glad even when another is preferred above me?