“After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 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!”
John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 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. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
The disciples of John the Baptist are enraged! Here they have been assisting John as huge crowds swarm to hear his teachings and to repent and be baptized. Frankly, John’s disciples have been enjoying the popularity and notoriety. Now suddenly Jesus appears on the scene, and he is BAPTIZING and crowds are swarming to hear HIM! What does John intend to do about this upstart? John’s answer is far from satisfying. “John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 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. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The problem for John’s disciples is that they have only been listening halfway. Messages of repentance? Sure! Baptism in water? Certainly! But all along, John has been announcing that he is only the forerunner and that his primary purpose is announcing the coming Messiah. That’s the point where John’s disciples have stopped listening. John’s disciples are outraged; meanwhile, John himself is relieved. John has witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove and he is reassured that Jesus is the Messiah.
What’s the basis for the reference to the bridegroom and the bride? Traditionally, the bridegroom’s father will suddenly announce when the marriage is to take place. At that point, the friend of the bridegroom helps the bridegroom fetch the bride from her parents’ house. The friend of the bridegroom must make sure that everything will be done properly. The bridegroom has to affirm that the girl he is accepting is truly his betrothed, and this is an important part of the ceremony. When the friend of the bridegroom hears the bridegroom’s voice, he knows that things are all right and that the marriage will proceed.
“He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Here John is affirming that Jesus truly is the Son of God and that He has come from heaven and is speaking heavenly truths. John knows that God has given him the messages he has been preaching; however, John also knows that he is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
Just as a bridegroom takes first place in the marriage ceremony, so Jesus as the Son of God has come to take His place giving the messages His Heavenly Father wants Him to deliver.
What does this story have to say to us as we enter a new year? Nothing is constant but change, and no situation is ever permanent. Even as I am writing these words, I am preparing to take on new and different roles at the mission hospital where my husband and I serve. God is always doing new things, and we must be willing to follow His leading, knowing that God can lead us in wonderful new paths.
John’s story also contains a second important truth. “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” If we want everlasting life, we must believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Why? Because Jesus has shed His blood as the ultimate blood sacrifice for our sins. Nothing we can do will pay for even a single sin, for we sin in small and big ways continually. But when we believe on the Name of Jesus, God accepts Jesus’ sacrifice and our sins are removed. Corrie Ten Boom used to say that God places our sins in the farthest sea and then puts up a “No Fishing” sign. Today, let’s choose to follow Jesus so that no matter what happens, we have that promise of everlasting life.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that we cannot free ourselves from our sins. Thank You for dying for us and saving us from our sins so that we might have everlasting life. In Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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