When I first looked at this “equation”, I was a little puzzled. I thought: How does the fact that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is greater than anything I could ever do relate to this verse? From the context, ( vss. 26-36 ) this verse shows John the Baptist taking the spotlight off himself and placing it on Jesus. For, the heavenly should have preeminence over the earthly. Yet, there is more here than just this thought. Again, the context gives insight; John is giving us an example to follow, for this passage is more than just about greatness, it is about obedience as well ( see vs. 31 ). The Bible says...
John 3 ( World English Bible )
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.
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.
34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
The work of John the Baptist is important, but that of Jesus’ accomplishments far outshine anything the Baptist could do. John’s message was of repentance; a personal review of one’s own attitudes and actions and appropriate measures to correct the direction of one’s life. Jesus is life, genuine life, because he is God and from Heaven. In HIM is life beyond anything mere human determination could accomplish. The forgiveness Jesus has given the world is of a heavenly nature, for it is eternal and complete. This was accomplished once and for all at the cross. Obey its message and live ( Acts 2: 14-41 ).