This portion of John’s gospel, when seen in context with surrounding narrative, at first may appear out of place. John has documented Jesus’ discourse with the Pharisee, Nicodemus, and early in the next chapter he records His conversation with the Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well near Sychar.
The natural connection with these two interviews is the need of Jesus to pass through Samaria enroute to Galilee from Judea.
Almost as though a parenthetical thought, John reintroduces John the Baptist into his gospel account, and in so doing sheds bright light on the godly humility of this man of God, but also on the eternal authority of Jesus in keeping with the theme and focus of his gospel.
Let’s look closely at the facets of this jewel, and make practical application to our own relationship with the One to whom the Spirit was given without measure.
First let’s take note of verse 22, which places Jesus in Judea with His disciples. The wording is that He was baptizing, although chapter 4 verse 2 clarifies for us that it was actually Jesus’ disciples who were doing the baptizing, though under His authority (as has any minister of the gospel ever since). But more important to us, I believe, is the phrase “spending time with them (His disciples).”
That word “Spending”, translated “tarried” in the King James version, is the Greek word “Diatribo”. A rough, literal translation would be, “to stay by the way”. In modern vernacular we might say, “He spent quality time with them”. So before passing on to the primary focus of this sermon, let’s take note that in our course of Kingdom work (which can and will only be done as we follow His leading and guidance), there is always time to tarry and learn from Him; and the one who stays by the way with Jesus will find Jesus more than willing to stay by the way with him. Our Lord and His new followers were busy going about the Father’s business, and they would soon be on their way again, to a different place, to continue that work in both triumphs and trials. In the meantime though, (are you listening, preachers and teachers?) the continuance of the present work and preparation for future work would be fortified by “quality time” spent at the feet of the Master.
John was also continuing his ministry of baptizing for repentance. Filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb, he continues to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and goes where he is sent; as the prophets before him (Isaiah 6:6-8) and the apostles after him (Acts 16:6-10).
I point out this subtle indication of his faithfulness to his Lord and his task, as a precursor to further testimony of these qualities as recorded for us by the gospel author.
Johnston ‘Cheney, in his book, “The Greatest Story”, calls this passage a “Tribute to Jesus”; and so it is; but we may also call it John the Apostle’s Tribute to John the Baptist. Let’s set the stage for the Baptist’s comments.
The ministry of John the Baptist was unique in all of history, for several reasons:
1. His ministry came ‘between the testaments’, so to speak. There had not been a prophet in Israel for 400 years. The voice of God had been silent to His people, and they longed for a Word from Him, as they also longed for the promised Deliverer (They got both in Christ; the Prophet of whom Moses spoke). So in a sense, John was an Old Testament Dispensation prophet, born at the proper time to usher in the New Testament Dispensation. In his left hand he held (and upheld) the Law and the Prophets, echoing their voice, and in the right hand he held the good news of impending fulfillment; not only of all the prophets spoke, but of God’s great plan for the ages.
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!”
To put this in a simpler and more worldly tone, his early ministry showed them the final reruns of last season, to refresh their minds and prepare them for the Fall Preview; which would usher in the new season. (OK, now all you TV guide readers are caught up)
2. The nature and purpose of his baptism were unlike any before or to come. The Jews (of all sects) had their ceremonial washings which for the most part were done on a daily basis, and for symbolic preparation for other forms of worship. John’s was a one-time baptism of repentance, to symbolize and testify of the heart’s preparation for the coming of the Holy One of Israel. Luke records for us in Chapter 7 of his gospel that the people “acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John”.
3. And of course, it was unique in that he would be afforded the honor and privilege of baptizing Jesus Himself, so that all righteousness might be fulfilled as our Lord identified Himself with His chosen nation and with fallen man (Hebrews 2:14-18).
Sharper light is shed on the second point above, here in the verses of our study. “There arose therefore a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification.”
Apparently, the Jew mentioned here (possibly a Pharisee) did not understand the purpose of the baptism of John and confronted John’s followers to find out just where this fit in with traditional purification rites.
Either his questions confused them a novices, and/or, in the course of conversation he mentioned that he knew of another who was also baptizing with John’s baptism (vs. 22). In any case, something about the conversation raised questions in their own minds concerning Jesus and His rapidly growing popularity and ministry. We can detect a clear note of jealousy for their master in the words, “He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him”.
How many churches have lain dormant...useless...stinking, which otherwise may have been blessed and prospered, but for jealousy in the hearts of pastors and church leaders over what the Lord was doing down the street?
During Bible College I assisted in a Southern California church, located just a mile or two from another church of the same denomination that was large and successful and growing.
When the pastor of that other church first began his work he ministered primarily to a handful of college students. He preached the Word faithfully and sincerely and with prayer, and using the speaking talents given him by God. He continually pointed the way to Christ; never measuring himself or the ministry of his church against those on a common plane; but only according to the Word of God.
In a very short time, as he focused on evangelism and discipleship, fellowship, worship and missions, the Lord blessed and his church abounded in numbers.
In the same valley, a short distance away, lay a church that had been established and functioning long before this other pastor even entered into the ministry. This church was attended on a regular basis by a congregation of approximately 80 to 100 people. I never saw it larger while I was there, and news bytes I’ve gotten since I left indicate that it has stayed the same.
Now, I do not want to do the pastor of that church a disfavor. He was a gentle man who loved the Lord and loved His Word, and was faithful to the ministry. He was tender-hearted and loved his people and dedicated all his time and energies to the operation of the church and pastoring.
But obvious through some of his preaching and much of his private conversation, was a burning, consuming, jealousy of the visible success of the young man down the street. I saw a time when this pastor refused to allow his church’s youth to meet with the youth of that church for a softball game, for fear that some of his youth would be enticed to join the other church. When this man was upset about something he would tend to talk through his nose (I’m not saying this to be funny) and I never heard a more nasally tone from him than when he was hearing news of the on-going success of that other church.
What I say now is in retrospect; I hadn’t the experience or the wisdom to recognize it then. His own torment was not the only result of this consuming jealousy. Due to the focus on numbers over spiritual growth, and worldly success over God’s leading, his church and people were enslaved in a spiritual bondage that hindered any true progress for the Kingdom of God. They continued to function comfortably as an institution, worshipping together, breaking bread together, laughing with each other in good times and weeping with each other in bad. But there were constant crisis in the body. If it was not pew against pew, it was pew against pastor, or leadership against pastor. Occasionally a new family would come into the body, but just as often, they or another were going out the back door.
The pastor was constantly ill; plagued by ulcers and kidney stones. His married daughter was in rebellion against him and against her husband. Missions giving was paltry at best; in fact, there was no real ministry going out from that church in the name of Christ because everyone’s attention was locked inward.
Grim picture, huh? My friends, spiritual reality is consistent on all planes. I want to make clear before we go on, that the same spiritual principles are at work in our own individual lives and relationships; with each other and with the Lord.
How do you react inside when a co-worker is promoted?
How do you react inside when you hear that good fortune has come to a friend or neighbor; and it came in the form of something you have wanted or needed?
When a brother or sister in church testifies to the physical blessings and answers to prayer for which they have long waited, do you rejoice with them? Can you?
John’s answer to his disciples’ jealous concern (noble, perhaps, but misplaced and ungodly) was, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.” Does that sound familiar? Think of Jesus’ answer to Pilate’s boast of authority. “You would have no authority over me, were it not given you from above”.
Here are two ways to look at John’s response:
1. Anything another person receives is given him/her from heaven. Dare we, having that knowledge, be so shallow, so arrogant, so utterly sinful as to resent him whom God has blessed...because of the blessing? We may as well hate the recently deceased because he got to go home to the Lord. If that sounds ridiculous, it should.
2. Anything we receive is from heaven. If we feel we are not receiving anything, we must look to ourselves for fault, not the giver. He does not show favoritism; He is the same toward all. As one writer put it, the same sun that hardens clay, melts butter. The sun does not change toward either. The reaction of each to the sun’s radiance is a direct result of their own content. Besides, where do we get off thinking we deserve anything from the Lord? If He chooses to let us live a life of want and physical agony, deserted by the world and unknown to our neighbor, would He be wrong or unjust in doing so? Have we any right or ground to accuse Him who formed us in the womb and lends us every breath?
Before we pass out of the gloom, may I call your attention to one more destructive symptom of this type of selfishness and spiritual bondage? It will negatively affect others, often without their realization or understanding, but harmfully, nonetheless.
As an assistant pastor in that Southern California church, and as a young, impressionable believer, I long held an unfounded dislike and disrespect for the pastor of that larger church I was talking about a few minutes ago. This was unfortunate because he is a brother in Christ, and also because at that time he was the President of the Bible College I was attending as a student.
It was not until I finally had several opportunities to hear him preach, and my attendance at a minister’s luncheon at which I sat across the table hearing some of his own stories about his humble beginnings as a minister (his first church paid him seven dollars per week), that I began to see him in any other light than had been shown me through the fogged and mottled prism of jealousy.
John not only remained true to his calling and purpose himself, but was quick to remind his students of things they had already heard. The wisest among them would have heard his words as a gentle rebuke for their hasty anxiety; “You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him’.”
In other words, “If by my own declaration my ministry’s purpose has been to light the way to another who is greater, why, oh why should you be alarmed when that Greater One comes on the scene?” His heart, both FOR and OF the Lord, was saying, “But for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27).
My friends, as a church family and as individuals, our goal should be to become more like Jesus. But can we ever hope to begin the journey until, like a river running natural from its source, these words flow from our heart of hearts, “He must increase, but I must decrease”, whether referring to our Lord or our fellows?
“For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
In verses 31 through 36 John moves from correction and gentle rebuke to teaching about the One his disciples have only seen as competition. True to his life’s purpose, he continues to bear testimony to the One who comes after him.
Like any good teacher, John’s transition is smooth, yet consistent with the day’s lesson. They have asked a question of sincerity, though from ignorance, which he has clearly answered. But also like any teacher, there is the natural need to go deeper than the surface; all the while searching for the expressions of discovery on the faces before him, which thrill a teacher’s heart.
He has portrayed himself as the friend of the bridegroom, who gives preeminence to the bridegroom himself, and fulfills his duties as a friend and rejoices to see the bridegroom’s joy. In keeping with that sentiment, he now rejoices to elevate that “other baptizer” to His proper place in their thinking.
“HE WHO COMES FROM ABOVE IS ABOVE ALL...”
Have you ever stopped and considered that phrase? He comes from above! Not from earth. The earth came from HIM! That which is of the earth is earthly, that which is of heaven is heavenly. He comes from above. He comes from heaven. Therefore, being heavenly, He is by His own nature, above all. Above all kings, above all the majesty and beauty of the earth, above John the Baptist, above all creation, both physical and spiritual.
Yet, being above all by His very nature, He came down from above. How rich is that thought?
”...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant. And being made in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Do you see why we must share John’s sentiment, expressed in verse 30? Jesus’ own conviction was “He (the Father) must increase, while I must decrease”. (now I don’t mean there, that He somehow became less than God. That statement is only to amplify Paul’s ‘...he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death...“) As a result, the Father has exalted Him and bestowed on Him a name which is above every name. “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. See how it works?
The first phrase of verse 32 is also one to pause at and reflect.
“WHAT HE HAS SEEN AND HEARD OF THAT HE BEARS WITNESS;”
What has He seen and heard? Well, having come down from above, it should be obvious that He has seen and heard that which is above.
The world speculates...badly...about the universe around them. It was once believed that the earth was egg-shaped. Pictures from space since about 1969 have shown otherwise. Only five hundred years before that, “educated men” insisted the earth was flat. I recently sat and watched a documentary on public television, which was largely comprised of highly paid and intelligent scientists, sitting around speculating about the nature of the universe and whether intelligent life exists elsewhere.
We can entertain ourselves and our own bilious pride for hours, speculating about that of which we are obviously ignorant. We even have the audacity at times to speculate concerning spiritual and heavenly matters, even as non-believers. How many movies have been made by avowed unbelievers, about the end times...the anti-Christ...demon possession, etc.?
But John bore testimony to the One who speaks with authority about those spiritual and heavenly things; one, because He made them, and two, because He was there and has come down.
God has sent Him and He speaks the words of God.
Not having ever been to London, I might write a book about London, but that book would have to be based almost entirely on what I have read or heard from others. The little that could be mine would be my interpretation of the scenes of that city which I have witnessed through the camera lenses of others and a few James Bond movies. (ok, a LOT of James Bond movies...)
On the other hand, if someone who was born and raised in London traveled to a place where no one had ever heard of London, and told these people of his beloved country, the slightest degree of wisdom would dictate that they listen and believe what he says, as the ultimate authority concerning that far away land. They may dislike what they hear; they may refuse to go there at his invitation; but only a fool would reject his authority concerning the facts of what he himself has seen and heard.
This analogy fails though, as it comes to spiritual matters and refers to a spiritual place. Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a man is born from above (spiritually) he cannot understand spiritual things. That is where faith comes in. Jesus does not want us to go to His far away kingdom and be convinced by seeing. He has demanded that by faith we accept His word, thereby being made citizens of that land, loyal to the King, and recruiting others into that Kingdom as his ambassadors until our work is done. When He calls us home we will see, only then, why Jesus had to describe His wonderful place by using earthly parables; knowing that our puny minds could not fathom the glorious reality of it.
It is enough now for us to know that “He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure” and that the Father “has given all things into His hand”.
Let’s capsulize what John has told his disciples (who by now have probably entirely forgotten their original concern):
Jesus has received from His Father, the Holy Spirit without limitation, for His earthly work. Therefore,
He speaks the words that the Father has given Him to say and testifies that God is true by His very life, which fulfills all prophecy. And,
He bears witness to what lies beyond this life, in heaven, because it is His home, His own creation, the starting place of His present journey. And,
He is not of this earth, but comes down to this earth to bear witness to that which He is of. Therefore,
Whatever our earthly position under Him, whether forerunner (as John was) or chosen Apostle (which we aren‘t), or evangelist, or deacon, or server, or new convert sitting shyly on the back pew...
HE MUST INCREASE, BUT WE MUST DECREASE.
I’d like to turn this jewel just one more time before I end, and let this brilliant hue bless your searching heart;
They have come to complain about a competitor baptizing to the South. They leave having been introduced to the Son of the Living God.
See the progression of John’s witness:
“I AM NOT THE CHRIST”
“I HAVE BEEN SENT BEFORE HIM, AS THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM”
“HE MUST INCREASE”
“HE COMES FROM ABOVE”
“HE IS ABOVE ALL THINGS”
“HE IS SENT AND BLESSED BY THE FATHER”
“THE FATHER LOVES HIM, AND APPOINTS HIM OVER THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS”
“HE IS THE SON!”
And here John becomes a true preacher of the gospel:
“HE WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON HAS ETERNAL LIFE, BUT HE WHO DOES NOT OBEY THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDES ON HIM.”
See the connection between the words “believe” and “obey” there?
Tenney says, “Belief is obedience to the utterance of God; disobedience is unbelief. Belief is thus defined as commitment to authority rather than a passive opinion.”
Do you desire to express your belief through obedience, believer? Do you often fail? Find obedience difficult? You must first decrease, in your own heart, your own eyes, your own estimation; and He must increase, as Lord of your life, Shepherd of your soul, awaited and longed-for bridegroom. The bigger, the grander, the more precious He grows in your sight, the more fragrant and pleasurable obedience will flow from your life. In the meantime, take courage if indeed you believe. You have, presently, eternal life. All that the Father has given into His hands is your inheritance in Him.
All that He came to bear witness to is yours; awaiting your arrival; and as the Father gave to Him, so He gives to you...without measure.
“He who has received His witness has set his seal to this, that God is true”
John 3:33
