September 24, 2006

 

Chapter three, verses 22-35- John, the apostle moves his text along with the words, “after these things” which may refer to the Nicodemus incident or refer to the Temple cleansing in 2:13-22.

  Jesus’ arrival in land of Judea indicates different geography, but also different

attitudes.  While Jesus had seen some measure of responsiveness in the north

(Galilee)- Matt.4:23-25, the area closer to the capitol city would show more resistance.  John gives us the setting (vs.22-24) of the dispute that occurs in

vs.25.

  Aenon and Salim are both difficult to locate with respect to ancient geography.  It is thought they are west of the Jordan River, but possibly closer to Samaria than Judea.  “Much water there” is proven by the word Aenon,

which means ‘many springs’.  These events precede John Baptist’s arrest.

  Issues of “purification” were common among people given to tedious

fine points of law (Matt.23:23) in a spirit of contention.  The NIV has “a Jew” in vs.25 instead “the Jews”.  The question relates to the sudden popularity of

Jesus [all are coming to Him] which infers a decrease of interest in John

Baptist.  What follows is another declaration by John Baptist on the reality

that Jesus should be receiving increased attention.

  “A man….unless it is given to him from heaven”- this is John’s affirmation that Jesus’ increased popularity is of a divine origin.  For further

clarity,John then refers to his own admission that he was not the Christ, but that he (John) had been sent before Christ.

  Verse 29 is an illustration taken from the local customs concerning marriage;

John places himself as the “voice of rejoicing” that the bridegroom has come.

Jesus is intended in the illustration to be the “bridegroom”.  Due to later

Pauline comparisons of husbands & wives with Christ and the Church (Eph.5), some have thought that John represents a class of believers called the “friend of the bridegroom” that are not in the church.  This kind of teaching often is used

in “Baptist bride” doctrine, where the Baptists =bride of Christ with

other believers =“friends of the bridegroom.”  But in the context, the use of the illustration from a wedding should NOT be extended to the eschatology of the church.   John Baptist is simply saying that he is joyous to know the One expected (bridegroom) has come!

  Verse 30 marvelously expresses the humility of John Baptist before the Person

of Jesus- “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  The transition from

allegiance to John to allegiance to Jesus is necessary and right.

Vs.31 –“he who comes from above [anothen as in 3:3] is above all”-

This remark places Jesus as having a divine source and divine appointment.

He contrasts “of the earth”, then repeats “…is above all”.  This is clearly

a ringing endorsement of Jesus as the divinely appointed Son of God.

 

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  Vs.32 “What He has seen and heard, that He testifies;”- these words are intended to carry the concept of certainty and authority.  Jesus’ grasp and

communication of truth is absolute.  As One who comes from above, His experience of life and transmission of that experience is without error.  “no one receives His testimony”- is another of John’s generalities that has exceptions.

We might say “no one received His testimony without illumination from the Holy Spirit”—I Cor.2:9-10.  It is John’s backhanded way of pointing out the sinful

confusion of the world of men.  The next vs. (33) likely refers to John Baptist—“he who has received His testimony has certified that God is true”.  Through John’s witness, Jesus is declared as the truly the One sent by the Father.  The next verse, (34) reminds us that Jesus came speaking the words of God.  He is the Revealer and Communicator of Divine truth like no other person has or will.  Further verification of Jesus is noted in His measure of God’s Spirit: God does not give the Spirit by measure.  While other prophets may have had the Spirit of God to come upon them, but leave, Jesus is permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit and given unlimited power.

  The last verification of Jesus in this portion is the reality of God’s love for the Son and commitment  of all things into His hand.  There is both intimacy

and investiture.  Jesus is the object of the Father’s love (5:20) like no other person and is the object of the Father’s trust like no other person.

 

       Outline of Verification & Uniqueness of Jesus in this passage:

1) Came from above vs.31

2) Is above all  vs.31

3)  Testifies truthfully  vs.32

4) Supported by John’s testimony  vs.33           like no one else

5)  Given God’s word  vs.34

6)  Given God’s Spirit   vs.34

7)  Loved by the Father  vs.35

8)  Given all things by the Father  vs.35