John 4:1-3 (NIV) – [1] The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, [2] although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. [3] When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

1. Refuse to compare

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

John 4:1-2 (TM) – [1] Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed [2] (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people.

John 6:38-40 (NIV) – [38] For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. [40] For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

2. Don’t need recognition

John 12:42-43 (NIV) – [42] Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

3. Can walk away

John 6:53-54, 60, 66 (NIV) – [53] Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day… [60] On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” [66] From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

4. Trust God’s timing

John 7:3-5 (NIV) – [3] Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. [4] No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” [5] For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7:6-8 (NIV) – [6] Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. [7] The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. [8] You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) – [4] But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

5. Accept our role

Matthew 3:11 (NIV) – [11] “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”