John The Baptist’S Testimony
JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY
JOHN 3:22-36
How would our attitude have to change if we followed the example of John the Baptist?
Verses 22-24. The ebb and flow of the ministry of Christ can be seen in the movement between Jerusalem, Judea and Galilee. Jesus has made his first challenge to Jerusalem and his claims have been misinterpreted. Now he goes into Judea (3:22) before returning to Galilee (4:3). In the Jordan Valley he began a ministry of baptism parallel to that of John. This was not performed by Jesus himself but by his disciples (4:2), but it was done with his authority.
3:25-26. The ministry of Jesus was inevitably controversial, and there were occasions where controversy occurred amongst those who should have been his supporters. The Jew involved here (3:25) is unknown (some manuscripts read “Jews” and it has even been suggested that there could have been a scribal slip in copying an abbreviation for “Jesus”). The issue, so common amongst religious people, was one of pastoral jealousy. It seemed to John’s disciples that he had precedence over Jesus, whose growing popularity they probably resented (cf. 12:19 and the attitude of the Pharisees).
3:27-30. John shows great wisdom in understanding his rôle as “best man.” his precedence was one of service and preparation (John 1:30f.). He never claimed to be the Christ (John 1:20). His privilege was to make arrangements for the uniting of the Messiah with his bride Israel. Far from causing jealousy, the God-given success of Jesus was a source of joy to him; there is no other success that matters in Christian work today.
3:31-36. These verses may be a comment by the evangelist (see previous day’s note). John’s ministry is essentially on a human and earthly level. Jesus has a heavenly origin and his testimony is about heavenly things (cf. 3:11f.). Sent and loved by God, he speaks the truth of God and imparts the Spirit of God. The response which men make to him is decisive for life or for wrath (God’s implacable hostility to sin). God’s revelation of himself in Christ cannot be trifled with. Our duty, as believers, must always be the humble, self-effacing part of witnesses to Christ. But 3:34 has its application to us also, we have superhuman reinforcement for a superhuman task!
Notes 3:23: “Aenon near Salim”—“Aenon” means “Fountains” and was chosen because of the water there. “Salim,” meaning “Peace,” may have had symbolic significance. 3:24: John does not record the Baptist’s imprisonment and this allusion suggests that he expects his readers to know something of the subsequent story. 3:31: “from above.” The Gospel uses the picture of “up there” to show the “transcendence” (otherness) of God and Christ. It also shows the One in whom is life (John 1:4) to be “immanent” (“the ground of our being”).
A challenge Does John’s magnificent affirmation truly reflect your own attitude?