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Jesus and John the Baptist
22Later, Jesus and his disciples went to Judea, where he stayed with them for a while and was baptizing people.
23-24 John had not yet been put in jail. He was at Aenon near Salim, where there was a lot of water, and people were coming there for John to baptize them.
25John's followers got into an argument with a Jewish man about a ceremony of washing. 26They went to John and said, “Rabbi, you spoke about a man when you were with him east of the Jordan. He is now baptizing people, and everyone is going to him.”
27John replied:
No one can do anything unless God in heaven allows it. 28 You surely remember how I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am only the one sent ahead of him.
29At a wedding the groom is the one who gets married. The best man is glad just to be there and to hear the groom's voice. That's why I am so glad. 30Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.
The One Who Comes
31God's Son comes from heaven and is above all others. Everyone who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all others. 32He speaks about what he has seen and heard, and yet no one believes him. 33But everyone who does believe him has shown that God is truthful. 34The Son was sent to speak God's message, and he has been given the full power of God's Spirit.
35 The Father loves the Son and has given him everything. 36Everyone who has faith in the Son has eternal life. But no one who rejects him will ever share in that life, and God will be angry with them forever.
Reflect
Counting the number of “likes” on your postings? Seeking to find more friends on social media? Most of us like being centre stage, if not in real life, then in our imaginary world.
When John’s disciples reported to him, seemingly at their dismay, that people were going to Jesus (rather than coming to him), John showed no eagerness to remain centre stage. In fact, the reason God sent him as a prophet was to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry. Now that Jesus had come, John was more than satisfied with this new state of affairs: “I am not the Messiah. I am only the one sent ahead of him . . . Jesus must become more important, while I become less important” (3:28, 30).
These words are often misunderstood as a sign of John’s humility; they rather express his appreciation for his own role in God’s storyline. Now that Jesus makes front page news as the bridegroom, John – as best man – has fulfilled his duty and is quite glad about it!
Only Jesus is God’s Son coming from heaven. He is above all others, John included. Jesus now occupies centre stage in God’s plan of salvation, sent to speak God’s message, having been given the full power of God’s Spirit. Although John the Baptist had a following even outside the borders of Israel (see Acts 19:1-5), his disciples near and far needed to come to terms with the fact that it was now Jesus who was central is God’s redemptive plan.
Only by placing our faith in Jesus can we find eternal life. Only by believing in him can we find our true place in God’s perfect plan. Only Jesus is qualified to free us from our guilt before God. No one else can save us from God’s judgment.
Respond
Sovereign Father, As John accepted his role in your perfect plan, may I find my true place in your plan for me. Help me to focus on him alone who bore my judgment on the cross. In the name of the Son you love and gave for me. Amen.
Pierre Constant
Pierre teaches Greek, Hermeneutics and NT Theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary since 2003. Married to Lise, they have four children and live in Gatineau, Québec. Involved in French speaking ministries, he mentors teenagers and young adults, and serves as teaching elder. Pierre has a B.A. in Philosophy from Ottawa University, a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois). His Master's thesis and doctoral Dissertation were written under the supervision of D. A. Carson. Publications: Survol des Évangiles. Montréal : SEMBEQ, 2012;"The Risen Lord," and "The Ascended Christ." Chapters in A Foundation for Life: A Study of Key Christian Doctrines and their Application, ed. Michael A. G. Haykin. Dundas: Joshuah Press, 2002