11.09.07
The Witness of John (John 3:22-36)
The Witness of John (John 3:22-36)
John had a nice ministry going, from the time he started he had the attention of lots of folks from all walks of life. Once John announced the arrival of the Messiah, his ministry did not cease, but it did decline. Both preached the same message of repentance – for the kingdom of heaven is near.
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
And – both baptized. Don’t believe me? Look at verse 22.
In verse 23, we see why John chose the place – plenty of water. Water like springs or fountains.
You see, John was observing the OT requirements- for cleansing / purification you must have moving or running water, it can’t be stagnant. Seeing this as an opportunity to drive a wedge between John and Jesus, the attempt was made to discredit John because he did not follow the Jewish tradition concerning cleansing with water. And, if the movement that was united with these 2 leaders could be divided, then the Jews could use that friction for their own means.
John makes a consistent response. Look at verse 27. The position John filled was given to him by divine appointment – John did not ‘chose’ this ministry. John reiterated what he had stated earlier in that John never claimed to be the Messiah. So, he attempts to illustrate for them this point using the imagery of the bride and bridegroom in verse 29.
The friend attending the wedding feast should be praising the bride in song and word in order to exalt the bridegroom. He attends the bridegroom as his servant at the banquet and rejoices that the one whom he serves is honored. The friend should not seek honor for himself, but for the one he serves.
John states in verse 30 He must become greater; I must become less. Ah, if more were like that…
John goes on to testify about the superiority of Christ. Christ again takes the primary position as John states that He is superior to any earthly revealer, because He states heavenly truths and came directly from heaven to bring them to mankind. John acknowledges that Christ is greater than he was and that His ministry would be greater as well.
Note there are 2 possible responses to the message. First the positive – vs. 33 states some would accept the message, those that did so would believe Jesus’ word to be the word of God. That word was trustworthy because of vs. 34. Christ would reveal the words of the Father to me. The Son is loved by the Father, and all authority has been given to the Son (vs. 35).
On the other hand, some would reject the Son. Rejection would stem from unbelief concerning at least 5 truths:
1. that Christ was from heaven
2. that He knew the Father
3. that He had been sent by the Father
4. that He had the Father’s wo0rds
5. that He was empowered by Holy Spirit
The results of rejection would be these folks would never enter into eternal life. So John indicates that (again) He was not the Messiah, and pointed folks to Christ.
What a message. You’re losing folks, and the leaders of the day have an angle to attack with. Will you respond in bitterness and take the bait? Or will you continue to point to the One who gives life?
John chose the latter path…what about you? When conflict or misinformation comes, what path do you choose?
