John 3:22-36 ESV
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him." The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
How we often live life
John the baptist baptized in expectation of salvation.
Jesus baptized into salvation. Salvation is here. John's followers see the growing popularity of Jesus. This passage shows our hearts. We are jealous of the rising star next to us. We are threatened and unsettled.
How do we react?
The weeper - we get depressed
The worker - we work harder
Whatever - we get bitter & angry
How we should live life
John is not troubled by the rising star, Jesus. He is overjoyed. Why? John had the right perspective. Jesus is not just a competitor, he is the Savior. John is who he is because God gave it to him. Jesus, however, is the Son of God. Prophets of old experienced the Holy Spirit in short durations. It came and went. Jesus gives the Spirit as He wishes, He commands it as God. He is above all things. John calls himself the best man. Jesus is the groom and the church is his bride. John is here to make the groom look great. The wedding is not about us. It is about Jesus. When we are asked to wear the most horrendous tux, we do it. Why? So that the groom has the best day ever!
Fuel for living
In John's reaction is no bitterness, no sadness, no need to justify himself. He says that he is happy to be forgotten and to be losing disciples/followers. Why? Because Christ lowered himself so that we could be lifted up. So that we could be heirs to the kingdom of God. We are motivated not to measure up but rather because Jesus made the measure for us. Jesus has come to bring us salvation, life, joy... everything that we need. We have worth because of Christ, not anything that we have done or earned.
Results of the love of Christ
We become absolutely SECURE.
We become SELF-FORGETFUL.
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