John 3:22-30 - Christ Increasing

John 3:22-30
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Message: Christ Increasing

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus is over. In the process we've learned a lot, namely that the Spirit awakens people to a knowledge of their own sin, and in the process people are united to God in Christ for all eternity, no longer living in darkness but now following the Light; born again, through faith. 

Now we resume activity with John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples. Jesus along with the disciples and John are baptizing people in the City of Aenon "because there was much water there." This provides a clue or information to us that baptism seems to be by immersion. And there is a remark that John is baptizing because he is not yet in prison (v. 24). 

Then in verse 25, a discussion commences about purification, evidently a common discussion at this time. And the remark is that Jesus is getting all the people to be baptized and none are coming to John and the disciples. Is it a competition? John clarifies that he is not the Christ and he is only helping and preparing the way for Jesus. It is Jesus that descended from heaven and has been given authority from heaven. John does not have the authority. He admits once again that he is not the Christ. The attention is to be placed on Jesus. Jesus has given him a purpose in his living but that living is to glorify Jesus. From Tabletalk -- "Just as the friend of the bridegroom rejoices when the groom gets married and does not seek to be the center of attention at the wedding, so John rejoiced as Christ’s ministry increased." 

"He must increase, but I must decrease." Or as the song we sang says, "God rules." It is all about Him. 

Summary: God gave Jesus authority and we are commissioned to be His ambassadors, giving Him all the attention. 

Promise: He increases. The acclaim we receive from Him on that final day will be far greater than any acclaim we might receive from other people on this side of glory.

Prayer: God, it is opposite to the way of the World today. I decrease, You increase. Yet, Lord, I know that in eternity I will increase and You will lift me up while many may have bright days now but for eternity it will not continue for them. Keep that in the forefront of my mind. There is great freedom in You and I praise You for this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.