John 3:22 – 36 – “The Testimony of John the Baptist”
(Joe Stehle)
John 3:22-36 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 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.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31 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. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 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.
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Both Jesus, with his disciples, and John the Baptist, with his disciples, were preaching and baptizing people. A discussion about purification was brought to John and his disciples noted that Jesus is baptizing and all are going to him. (Do we ever feel like something unjust is happening?) John wisely responded, saying that a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. John continues to speak of Jesus – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Later we are told “The Father loves the Son – whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”
The main point here is the focus on Jesus, that He is God’s Son and the source of eternal life. We can also note John’s humility as he testifies that he is not the Christ. Pray that we can do likewise – recognizing that we can do nothing unless it is given to us and then honoring Jesus.
Please also pray that our church – not the building but the people – would seek to be more like Jesus, showing God’s grace to each other and showing His love to the people around us.
Weekly Prayer Focus: New Building Design Process
Daily Prayer Focus: That we would be gracious as a congregation. It can be a challenge to bring our many perspective and opinions together into a single project. May God grant us grace to treat each other well – with patience and generosity of spirit – as we navigate this process together.