Whoever Believes

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). John 3:22-24

After this conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples went about their ministry of evangelizing and baptizing those who believed. Jesus was the overseer in this case, as John tells us in chapter 4:2 that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples. Those who were receiving baptism were identifying with Jesus; being baptized into Him.

The name Aenon means “place of many waters.” There were several springs in that area. The Baptist had set up in that location with his disciples and was baptizing, also. It seems he still had a vigorous ministry among the people, preparing them to enter the kingdom of God by changing their attitudes and demonstrating this change by receiving water baptism. (There is a paragraph on the meaning of water baptism in the blog post of August 15, 2013, titled Grace and Truth. John 1:28 in the study.)

The Jews were still watching every move, eager to find anything to kibitz these street preachers about. One of the Jews, a Pharisee no doubt, began to question John’s disciples about the meaning of the ritual. The objective of the debate was to cast suspicion on both John’s and Jesus’ qualifications to perform such priestly functions among the people. It was also a blatant attempt to arouse jealousy between John and Jesus and between their disciples. Jealousy was something the Pharisees were experts at, since they obviously seethed with it themselves. They also operated under ulterior personal motives, and naturally suspected everyone else of the same selfishness.

Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 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.” John 3:25-26

There’s that phony Pharisaic flattery again, as Nicodemus tried to use on Jesus. “Rabbi” was a title John did not claim, and he had no degree in theology, but he certainly knew where his qualification came from. He did not seek or need The Jews’ approval for his work. The issue of  "purification" was another category of temple racketeering, by which The Jews controlled the lives of the people. Apparently, they were trying to compare this baptism of John and Jesus with that practice. Their chief occupation seems to have been debating legalisms. I call it doctrinal hair-splitting. We see a lot of it nowadays, too, among Christians whose energy would be better spent presenting the gospel message to the world. Doctrine is of supreme importance to growing and mature believers, as we are stabilized by what we know of God, but public arguing about it can be a real distraction to those who love to judge us by worldly standards.

John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 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.” John 3:27-29

There was no competition between John and Jesus. John knew exactly what he was born and anointed to do: prepare the way for the Messiah, and introduce Him to Israel. That was his gift and calling from God the Father, and that was his only objective in life. The glorification of Jesus Christ fulfilled John’s ministry. John did his work with a relaxed mental attitude, totally without jealousy.

The bridegroom is the man of the hour. The friend of the bridegroom has behind-the-scenes duties of preparation for the blessed union of the bridegroom and his bride. The fulfillment of these special duties gives the friend of the bridegroom much pleasure and satisfaction; a sense of accomplishing his purpose in life, as unto the Lord. He experiences overwhelming joy at the happiness of his friend.

 Verse 30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Up to this point, Jesus was rather obscure on the Judean scene. He had made His ministerial debut, though, and was beginning to gain the attention of the common people and The Jews. This little debate with John was the beginning of The Jews’ open harassment of Jesus. As He would rise to prominence among the people, the Jews’ constant surveillance and criticism of Him would intensify.

Jesus’ ministry and prominence would certainly increase, and John knew that. That was according to the plan and purpose of the Father. And, having done the job he was born to do, John’s ministry would decrease. That brought to him a deep sense of satisfaction. No jealousy. Pure joy.

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. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. John 3:31-35

God the Son, Who came from heaven, is the supreme ruler of the universe. He is Sovereignty. He is Righteousness. He is Justice. He is Love. He is Eternal Life. He is Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Veracity and Immutability. His words are the words of eternal God, because that is Who He is and He can only speak the truth of what He has known from eternity past. The plan of salvation was decreed before the foundation of the earth. He has now come to fulfill it. A man of earth cannot speak accurately of God’s plan of grace without having the Spirit of God to give him understanding. Jesus, being God, has always had the Spirit of God. His knowledge and authority are without measure. His power is unlimited. Most men of earth don’t understand Jesus’ teachings. Those who do understand Him give Him their endorsement (sets his seal), admitting the truth of God’s Word.

In John 3:18 we saw Jesus’ statement to Nicodemus that

 “Whoever believes in him (God’s uniquely born Son) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name (person and work) of the only Son of God.”

Here in verse 36 we see John the Baptist’s statement of that same truth:

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.

Whoever. Yes, that means anyone.