The One Who Comes from Above
John 3:22-36
22. After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. 23. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24. For John had not yet been put in prison. 25. Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26. And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27. John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29. He 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 full. 30. He must increase, but I must decrease." 31. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 32. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; 33. he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; 35. the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.
John’s disciples knew that he had been testifying about Jesus, but they were jealous of Jesus, because they loved John so much. John reassures his own disciples that Jesus is supreme, that He is the one they must now follow. He is the fulfillment of everything John was born for, prepared for and has worked for! He is glad, not envious or bitter—like a best man at a wedding, he rejoices not because of his own good fortune, but out of love and care for the bridegroom!
John doesn’t mind playing “second fiddle” to Jesus, his cousin, because He is so overjoyed that the prophecies of many centuries have been fulfilled—before his very eyes. He has seen the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus and he has heard God’s testimony about His beloved son. That is quite a legacy: to have obeyed God, to have seen your life’s work come to fruition, and to see before your very eyes the promise of the millennia fulfilled! John must have felt overjoyed, awed, humbled and almost relieved!
"No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29. He 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 full. 30. He must increase, but I must decrease." 31. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all”
John could have shared in the glory – he could have asserted that he was important to Jesus’ ministry; that he was a key figure in the fulfillment of scripture; that he deserved recognition and honor for his obedience. But he didn’t believe that, nor did he want others to be distracted by anything he did or said—except for his declaration of Christ’ coming to spread the Good News to mankind.
John didn’t mind stepping out of the spotlight to give his relative honor and praise – even at the sacrifice of his own following and support group. He knew that now he could fully rely upon God’s promise – and that was all he needed to live – and to live joyfully and abundantly. The Light of Christ was all he needed. It’s all, absolutely all, we need too!
I hope you spend your day basking in the Light of Christ, content to reflect His glory and good news on everyone you meet.
Mary
