John 3:22-36
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This morning I want us to consider for a title Exalting Jesus. The verse we read is John the Baptist’ response to his disciples, who have come to him to report that Jesus is doing well than him. They were pitting Jesus against John The Baptist. They were creating competition between Jesus and John The Baptist (v.26).
Now before we get into the details, John the apostle, gives us some background information. So the verse 22 points us to the end of Jesus’ interactions with Nicodemus which has been going on from the verses 1 to 21. So rightly, the verse begins: “After this…” After what you may ask. After the interaction with Nicodemus. Jesus moves on with his disciples to another location for ministry. He was as we know an itinerary minister (v.22). John also gives brings us information about John The Baptist.
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (v.23).
Clearly then, this brings to our attention two ministries: Jesus’ Ministry and John the Baptist’ ministry. It then obviously also points us to Jesus himself and John The Baptist. So when John the Baptist, says “He must increase” he was talking about Exalting Jesus, that is
- think or speak highly of Jesus
- raise Jesus to a higher rank or position.
- Make Jesus the Center of Focus
You will see that, the apostle puts in a little clarification in verse 24: “For John had not yet been put in prison.” John’s imprisonment was recorded by the synoptic gospels— Matthew, Mark, Luke— but not John. Yet he makes reference to it. This tells us the events were known among his audience. Clearly, the gospels were not some concerted stories, but they were real historical events that happened. That’s just a side note.
Now you would remember that last week before the sermon, I posed a question about who is the GOAT? Messi or Ronaldo? These two are a picture of the competition that goes on in the world. There is competition all over the world. Not only in football. But in business, education, entertainment, employment…there is competition all over the place. And though there is nothing wrong with competition, and healthy competition of course, competition becomes a problem when it enters the church. When Christians and Christian ministries begin to compete with themselves, and Christ is not the focus, then there is a big problem. And that is the problem presented to us in this narrative. We see in the verses that, a discussion arose over purification–that is the Jewish rites of washing and cleansing.
Purification has to do with temporal cleansing by washing. So in the Jewish society, there is washing of feet, clothes, utensils etc all to symbolise cleansing from sin; temporarily. At the wedding in Cannan, we see an example of such rites mentioned (2:5).
I don’t know the details of the discussion, but the subject definitely will be on the Baptism’ that was going on. Perhaps they were asking why two so-called prophets are doing the same thing. And in the discussion, something may have been said that will cause the disciples of John to think,” It is true, we haven’t looked at it this way. Our Master is losing members and that may affect our livelihood.
So the right thing they did was to approach John the Baptist.
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 (v.26).
This is competition. The world may compete, but not so with the followers of Jesus. Unfortunately, we all live in a sinful world and in a sinful body and will still struggle with sins of envy, jealousy, pride, covetousness. And that’s what comparing ourselves with others in the body of Christ is. And this is what we see in the text. The disciples of John the Baptist came to him telling him he is losing people and all the crowds are going to Jesus. Rabbi, Master, look, you are losing people. You were here before this man came. But see all the people are going to him. This is nothing else but competition and envy.
Point Attention Away From Himself
“He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease.” In comparison to Jesus, John the Baptist, Points Attention Away From himself. That’s our first point: Pointing Attention Away From Self. John’s response is that of humility. Perhaps you may have expected that John the Baptist will take steps to curb this losing of his flock. He may perhaps introduce programs to get them coming back. But no, he tells his disciples it is not about me. He points them to the source of whatever he has. He points them to the source of whatever ministry he has. He Points Attention Away From himself. “John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” (v.27)
This is the Sovereignty of God in his ministry. Whatever John the Baptist is, he acknowledges it has nothing to do with himself. You see, this matter of comparing ourselves to people is a real human problem and is spoken of in many places in the Bible. Let’s be honest with ourselves. In our life, haven’t we ever compared ourselves to somebody and perhaps thought you are better than them or they are better than you? Now this is a real problem of Pride.
If you ever think of yourself as better than any person, that is pride. And if you ever think someone is better than you, it is also Pride. It is pride because, at that point when you think someone is better than you, then you are been ungrateful to the gifts of God. Paul asks the Corinthians who had made spiritual gifts a source of superiority that
What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Your life, your very breath, your salvation, any gifts you have, have all been given to you by God. Amen! It’s all by grace. And nothing of your strength or abilities. That’s what our 2nd Bible reading clearly pointed to. Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned
He Points Attention To Jesus
Do not think of yourself more highly than you have to think. Don’t walk around with a bloated sense of importance Paul is saying. And how can this be done? John the Baptist shows us the way: He Points Attention to Jesus. He Must Increase. John the Baptist understood his ministry clearly without any confusion. He came to point people to Christ. He came to announce Christ
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him (v.28).
John the Baptist repeats his mission to his disciples: “You yourselves bear me witness” In other words, you have clearly heard me saying I am not the Christ. This matter of John’s Identity, was answered earlier on when the Jews sent people to come and ask him if he is the Christ. And he plainly told them I am not the Christ (John 1:19-20).
John proclaims Jesus as superior to him. Jesus is all in all. He is precious than all other persons and all other things in this life. Jesus is the reason for the Christian life and for any kind of Christian ministry. Everything we do as believers must showcase Jesus to the world: He must increase. But we must decrease. All the attention must be on him. He alone is worthy of our full affection and devotion.
Unfortunately today, Christian ministry has become a personality cult. Loyalty is demanded for the preacher rather than to Christ. But dear friends, this is an anomaly. Our loyalty must be to Christ first and foremost.
That point is expressed in verses 31 and 35
“He who comes from above is above all”
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand”.
Jesus Christ is above all. He is in rank with no one. He competes with no one. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He has a name that is above all names. He has all authority in heaven and earth. At the mention of his name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11)
Rejoice In Christ
See, this is the supremacy of Christ. He is supreme over all things. He is God. And if he is supreme over all things, then to exalt him is also to Rejoice in him or simply to find our Joy in Him. It’s there.
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. (v.29)
This is a picture of a wedding. The best man only prepares the way for the bridegroom. His focus, his role, is to pave the way for the bridegroom. And his joy is to serve the groom. This is the same picture. Jesus is the bridegroom who has come for his bride the church. And just as John rejoices in Jesus, everyone who believes and receives Christ must make Jesus his only source of joy.
Receiving His Testimony
Finally, all this is possible only for the one who has received the testimony of Christ. We only exalt Jesus when we receive his testimony. Christ will be of no benefit to you if you reject him. And many reject Christ always:
He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony (v.32)
Jesus came into the world to die for sinners so that you and I will find salvation in him if we place our faith in him. He came to bring the good news for a perishing world. If you have not believed in Jesus, the wrath, anger and punishment of God still rests on you. And I will plead with you to Receive The Testimony of Jesus because he died to save you from your sin
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.
Amen.
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