John 3:22-36
vs 22-24 – Baptizing
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).
Time Frame : All this occurred before John the Baptist was put in prison. Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, which makes up a large part of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, began after John was put in prison. The events of John 1-3 took place before this public Galilean ministry.
- Matthew, Mark and Luke have a shorter time frame than John, but cover the events of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee in much greater detail than John, listing many events and teachings that John omits.
- John has a longer time overall time frame (including three Passover visits to Jerusalem). He also includes some events and facts that are not found in the other gospels. For example, nothing is said in the other gospels about Jesus’ disciples baptizing before His resurrection. He also includes some discussions with the Pharisees (“the Jews”) that are not found in the other gospels. Interwoven with all this is a great deal of in-depth teaching on who Jesus is.
vs 25-30 -The Friend of the Bridegroom
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.”
The discussion … over purification may have been about which baptism was more effective for removing sin – that of John the Baptist or that of Jesus. Evidently the crowds were being drawn to Jesus.
- When John the Baptist’s disciples told him that the crowds were leaving him and going to Jesus, what was John’s attitude?
In a Jewish wedding at this time, the friend of the bridegroom served the bridegroom in every way. He made all the arrangements for the wedding. After the wedding ceremony he also protected the bridal chamber, after the bride had entered to make herself ready for her husband, and kept intruders out. The exact time when the bridegroom would come for his bride was kept secret. When the bridegroom came for the bride, he heard the bridegroom’s voice and raised a shout. He rejoiced greatly because the bridegroom had come for his bride.
- How would you characterize the attitude of a friend of the bridegroom?
- Why did John the Baptist rejoice to hear the Bridegroom’s voice?
- Why was he willing to fade into the background and play “second fiddle”?
- What challenge does this pose to our hearts?
Jesus’ earthly ministry was the first stage of Jesus’ relationship with his Bride, but Jesus’ return for His Bride is still in the future.
The bride has one characteristic in common with the friend of the bridegroom. They are both eager to hear the bridegroom’s voice.
- Are we crying out with the Spirit, Come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:17, 20)? Or are we too in love with the familiar things of our present life to be eager for His coming?
vs 31-36 – The Testimony of Jesus
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.
He who is of the earth may refer to John the Baptist. It’s not a criticism of John. John spoke of things that happen on earth (repentance) although his message came from heaven. He who comes from above speaks of Jesus. What he has seen and heard refers to things of heaven, as in the discussion with Nicodemus (John 3:9-13).
he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure
- Where do true words of God come from?
- Who gives the Holy Spirit without measure?
- What is eternal life? John 17:3, John 17:20-24
Prayer
Let’s ask God to stir up in us a greater desire for the Bridegroom’s voice and for His coming.