HE MUST AND I MUST ALSO
#860b HE MUST AND I MUST ALSO
Scripture John 3:22-36 NIV Orig. 8/27/1961
Rewr. 11/30/1989
Passage: 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Purpose: In a series from John’s Gospel, sharing this passage related to the early ministry of Jesus as to our dependence upon Him
Keywords: Bible Study Christ as Lord John Series
Timeline/Series: Sequential
Introduction
One of the distressing realities of our time relates to public figures who are indicted following some scandal. We read, and hear about it with great dismay in the lives of prominent religious leaders. It is made to be a public spectacle when these, and well-known political figures compromise certain standards, and are accused, tried, and convicted.
We struggled last week with the sentence directed against James Bakker. On the same day, an actress was convicted of hitting a policeman. A few days before, one of America’s wealthiest women was indicted for tax evasion.
It is not new. We well remember the Nixon years and the Watergate scandal. One of the men who figured prominently in that was the man who was counsel to President Nixon, a lawyer by the name of Charles Colson. Colson was found guilty and sentenced to several years’ incarceration.
During his time in prison something different happened. He acknowledged his own involvement and guilt, realized that the wrong was in himself, and sought to change his life. And the help he sought was spiritual. Mr. Colson became a believer in Jesus Christ. He later wrote his autobiography with the title, Born Again(1).
Many people were skeptical. “Oh, no, not again,” was a commonly heard refrain. It has been ten years or more, and Charles Colson is out of prison, still holding his new birth experience, and is involved in ministry to men and women who are in, or recently released from, prison.
I. The First Theme that We Encounter is Summary. V22 “After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon.”
Here is a bridge between two important texts. Some called John 3:16 the most important verse in the Bible. W.O. Vaught tells about a prior Little Rock Crusade back in the fifties. He was sent with a committee from the ministerial association to Fort Worth to check out Mr. Graham. And, he said, though they brought back a glowing report of Graham’s message and manner, twenty-three of his ministerial colleagues signed a petition saying in effect, “this is not the kind of man we need in Little Rock.” John the Baptist had his critics also, but they will get very little of our attention this morning.
Others refer to chapter 4 as the single most significant chapter in the Bible. 1966 JL Sullivan—John’s Witness to Jesus(2). 1989 HH Hobbs—The Gospel of John: Invitation to Life(3). So much more than just a bridge.
The summary is that of perspective. John 3:1-21 has provided perspective of the new birth. John Newton: “I am not what I ought to be, but thank God, I’m not what I used to be.” Separation from the past, commitment to life of discipleship.
John 3:22-36 insists that we take note of the increasing centrality of Christ to the believer. Pilgrimage might begin with loyalty to none. Shifted with loyalty to none but Jesus. Being a follower calls forth two requirements: a statutory commitment, and a circumstance of growth.
It is summary also of personality. Facts about Jesus and John otherwise unknown. Of Jesus early ministry: Matthew 19:1, Mark 10:1—come to Judea, Luke 4:44 Judea (KJV reads Galilee).
Jesus public ministry before John imprisoned. Mark 1:14 “After John was delivered up, came Jesus into Galilee.”
Jesus’ affirmation of baptism. Synoptics never mention Jesus baptizing. John 4:2f clarifies this about administering.
That John continues an independent ministry after Jesus’ baptism at a place called Aenon near Salim. “There was much water there.” Summary statement on baptism. Are you distressed about baptisms? Some say that John chooses a less promising site to open the way for Christ.
Finally, there is seen an abrupt change from this revival . . . for Jesus. Luke 3:3 and Matthew 4:17 depict the common mode of their message. “Baptism of repentance.” “Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” After John is imprisoned, Jesus goes into Galilee (Mark 1:14) with same style and message. But change is in the wind. Perhaps this explains John’s uncertainty. See Matthew 11:1,2.
II. Next, There is the Theme of Subordination. V25 “Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples . . . . Rabbi, [Jesus] baptizeth, and all men come to him.”
In regard to the ceremonial washing, it was major concern to Jews, and a way to make money. In Cairo ten years ago coverlets; in Jerusalem no admission to the Dome of the Rock. Regeneration dealt with inside, therefore they wouldn’t pay the tax. Discussion turned to Jesus and His prominence over John.
Matthew 14:1f: “Herod had arrested John . . . because of his brother Phillip’s wife.” From this diatribe on religious ceremony, John shows us what Christian grace ought to be. His followers are uneasy because Jesus has come to a more favored posture. They have no idea what is ahead. The concept of cross is unknown.
He reaffirms the centrality of Jesus. “I am not he! You know who is!” John 4:26f same without the negative. He sees himself as “friend,” philos. His role in the wedding is to protect interest of bridegroom. He guards the chamber where the bride awaits. John will not usurp Christ’s place.
To what degree do you subordinate yourself to Jesus? I was envious of a friend when 200 of his people were present at S.C. I had 20 who had chosen to come to the M.C. to hear warmed over Th. Ms. (Meaning unknown.) Don’t do it for Brother Lamar’s sake. There is a reason for doing it, and
Remainder of paragraph lost.
Someone tells about the passenger who went trackside, found his train, and went aboard. He found the car empty, chose his seat, got comfortable. After a few minutes a grease-stained trainman came through. “You’ll have to go up to the forward car.” “Why? What’s wrong with this one?” “Well, nothing’s wrong with it. It’s just not hooked up to anything that’s going anywhere.”
III. Finally, There is the Theme of Superiority. V31 “He that cometh from above is above all . . . V35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life . . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.”
Here is the eternal two-fold choice. It is not that they are “saved” or they are “lost.” The choices are: they are saved or lost, or there is nothing. Then, you can conclude that since there must be something, we are either saved or lost. Or, are you too sophisticated (worldly) to believe that.
The choice epitomized here is of life or death. Deuteronomy 30:15 “See I have set before thee this day, life and good, and death and evil.” Joshua 24:15 “Choose ye this day whom you will serve.”
John reminds us that the same choices are still much in vogue today. Herschel Ford wrote: [The sinful man}
Shuts the door on his highest possibilities.
Puts himself in the way of others.
Puts himself on the devil’s side.
Insults God.
Crucifies the Son of God afresh.
Rejects testimony of greatest men.
Seals his doom in hell forever.
Conclusion
We must not, in our haste to get from the greatest verse to the greatest chapter, overlook what may be the greatest concept: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” He must and I must also! Self-subordination is vital to our faith.
A line on the drug awareness program (C12 11/30/89) said it well. “It’s painful to take inventory of the things you’ve done wrong. It’s painful to change.”
(1) Colson, C. (1976). Born Again. Chosen Books.
(2) Sulllivan, J. (1965). John’s Witness to Jesus. Convention Press.
(3) Hobbs, H. (1988). The Gospel of John: Invitation to Life. Convention Press.