March 20, 2020
Wait . . . What?!
John 3:22–36
Ryan Stafford
Central Truth
John the Baptist understood his role to "bear witness about the light" (John 1:7), yet John's disciples wanted him to be the star. John understood that "[Jesus] must increase, but [he] must decrease."
Key Verse | John 3:30
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:22–36
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 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.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it 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 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 1 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36
31 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. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever 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 he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 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.
Dive Deeper | John 3:22–36
JESUS WAS BAPTIZING! Wait . . . what?
Reading this, my mind raced back to 2,000 years ago. Although John 4:2 clarifies that Jesus Himself did not baptize (His disciples did), how cool would it have been to be baptized with Jesus there? How long do you think that line was? Just to hear Him say, "Buried with ME" . . . wait that hadn't happened yet. Still the Son of Man baptizing . . . come on!
That's the Savior we believe in, the One who came to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45). The One who washed His disciples' feet (John 13:5). The One who healed the sick (Luke 14:1-6). The One who died on the cross for us (John 19:30). He showed a true servant's heart, and this passage reveals how we should respond to His example of serving.
John the Baptist perfectly exemplified a right response. John's disciples were jealous and worried that "all [were] going to [Jesus]" to be baptized. So they brought their concerns to John. After John shared some key insights in John 3:27-29, he simply says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)
Through your study of God's Word, wise counsel from your community group, and prayer, God can also reveal areas of your life in which He must increase and you must decrease. What is He revealing to you?
Discussion Questions
1. In what area of your life does Jesus need to increase and you must decrease?
2. Is there a verse or passage you read recently that caused you to say, "I never knew that?"
3. Has there been a time when you've been jealous because a person you love (spouse, kid, boss, etc.) wasn't getting the notoriety you think they deserved? What lies at the core of that feeling?