John 3:22-36
After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
The Lord took His disciples out into the wilderness of Judea, where they were baptizing those who would repent and believe in the Messiah. This had been John’s ministry before, but now that Jesus was there, John’s job was coming to a close. Jesus didn’t do any of the baptizing (see John 4:2.)
Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Aenon is near the Jordan, centered between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. See the Bible Map here:
Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"
The word “purification” refers to ritual cleansing through baptism. John’s disciples were jealous over him (it’s kind of sweet!) “They’re taking your job, John. You want we should do somethin’ about it?” They didn’t say it but it’s kind of funny to think about it.
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.”
I wonder why the disciples thought John was there. John tells them plainly he was there because God sent him to do a job.
“You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' 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. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled."
David Brown comments as John the Baptist-
“I do my heaven-prescribed work, and that is enough for me. Would you have me mount into my Master's place? Said I not unto you, I am not the Christ? The Bride is not mine, why should the people stay with me?”
There is no jealousy in this reply. John knew why he was there, and he knew why Jesus was there. He was clear on the job description and his mission.
"He must increase, but I must decrease.
I want this for myself as well. More of Jesus, less of me. Make it so, Lord! Jesus must gain ground in my life. A rolling stone gathers no moss, but rocks that just sit there get covered in it—especially here in the Great Northwest! No slime on me! I must stop thinking of my own needs and make the Kingdom of God my focus.
"He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies, and no one receives His testimony. He that has received the testimony has certified that God is true."
John is the one who is earthly and speaks of the earth. He tells what he understands of the Kingdom of God, even though it’s not that much. We should talk about what we know, even if we don’t think it’s much.
He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, He testifies. Jesus said “I am the bread of heaven” in 6:33. God has placed His name above all. What Jesus has seen and heard, He testifies of. He told His disciples “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you.” He said “there is rejoicing in heaven over one who was lost but is found.” He knows what he’s talking about because that’s where He came from! He knows the Father, and tells us of Him. He tells the crowd, “if God so clothes the grass of the field, how much more” will He take care of you? He shows us who God is. He’s been there, He knows what He’s talking about.
John recognizes that the Jews were not receptive to Jesus as the Messiah. They saw the works of God but attributed them to Beelzebub. They accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard. They would not receive His testimony, even though He only told them the truth! “No one receives His testimony.”
Verse 33 says, “He who received His testimony has certified that God is true.” It’s interesting because people who come to Christ can’t really explain exactly how it happened, or even why they know God lives in them. We just say we know it. It’s experienced by us. We can say we know it’s true.
1 John 5:10
“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar.”
Verse 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
God gives each of us the Holy Spirit. I think this is so neat! We don’t just get a little piece. We get all of God! All of God lives in you when you believe. We receive the fullness of the Spirit. That’s why we can tell people about God—His Spirit puts authority behind our words.
Hebrews 2:8 says that God has put all things under His feet. The Father has given all things into the hand of Jesus. Although we don’t see it fulfilled yet, we know that none of God’s words will be left unfulfilled.
Isaiah 55:11:
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
"The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he that does not believe the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
If you want to go to hell, God’s not going to stop you. Keep pushing past the roadblocks God has thrown up in your life and you’ll get there. But God doesn’t want that for you. He is not willing that any should perish, Peter tells us. However, if you persist, the wrath of God eventually comes to abide on you. The Bible says that it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. He keeps drawing you with cords of love, trying to get your attention so He can get you to heaven. But eventually that wears down until you have the wrath of God abiding on you.
Where are you in these verses? Do you see yourself with the testimony that God is true? Or are you in there pushing past God’s love? Do you have the fullness of the Spirit—Jesus living in you, teaching you about God and His great love for you? Or do you have a voice in your ear telling you to stop listening to these words, to stay in your lifestyle; you don’t want to miss out on the “fun” of life?
It’s not going to be very long before this life is over, and the next one will begin. Are you ready for it?
Dear Abba,
Please work the work of faith in me. Help me to believe You are who You say You are! I want more of You in my life and less of my selfish self-focus.
Help me to be able to agree with the testimony that You are true.
Love,
Donna
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