John 3:22-36, The John the Baptist Principle

In today’s passage, Jesus and John were baptizing.  They were both serving God in a public ministry.  John was a prophet, calling people to repentance.  If you wanted to put your trust in John’s message, you were baptized by him or one of his disciples.  Jesus, of course, had been baptized by John, showing that Jesus agreed with John.  John also had an “agreement” with Jesus, that he was just preparing the way for Jesus.  He even said that Jesus was “He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”  (This baptism did not happen until after Jesus’ death and resurrection, cf. Acts 2:1-4; 11:15-17.)  This was how it was in Judaism.  Baptism was an expression of faith.

The problem in the story was not a question about baptism but a question about the “baptizers.”  The two ministries were concurrent for a period of time, until John was thrown into prison (v24).  That wasn’t a problem, unless either ministry had an attitude of competition.  John had no sense of competing with Jesus.  Maybe those who raised the question assumed John would be critical of Jesus’ ministry.  If they did, they were disappointed. 

John’s answer laid everything to rest.  There was no reason to be worried in John’s ministry because Jesus’ ministry was growing faster.  John said, He must increase, but I must decrease.  John understood the big picture.  He had a role of preparing the way for Christ.  He was like the “best man” at the wedding.  He was not the bridegroom.  Jesus was, and thus, the bride belonged to Jesus.  The “bride” was the people who came to put their faith in Christ.  John had a clear and strong understanding of who he was in God’s plan.  He who comes from heaven is above all (v31).  John knew this was Jesus, the Christ. 

John indicates that many were already struggling with Jesus’ ministry.  It was one thing for John to say the Messiah is coming.  People could get on board with that.  But when Messiah came, and made the bold and true claims Jesus made, pride made it hard to submit to Jesus.  John says, no one receives His testimony. But then he says, He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 

Note the ways John exalts Jesus.  Jesus speaks of heaven which He has seen; earthly teachers speak of earthly things (v31).  Some may have a measure of the Spirit, but Jesus has the fullness of the Spirit of God, given without measure (v34).  The Father loves the Son (v35; Lk. 3:21-22).  Your response to Christ is the difference between eternal life and having the wrath of God continue on you (v36). 

This “John principle” is fundamental to life.  After all, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  The life that pleases God exalts His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  If I have not come to put my faith in Christ it means I am not living by this “John the Baptist principle.”  I am still living in death!  

He must increase, but I must decrease.