The Gospel of John - Outline Part 7 - The Supremacy of the Messiah

TITLE

John 3:22-36 – The Supremacy of the Messiah

EXPLANATION

Once again, the focus shifts, if only for a moment, back to John the Baptist.  He was still engaged in his own ministry, while Jesus was continuing with His.  Both of them were baptizing people, although apparently Jesus Himself did not perform the baptisms (c.f. 4:2).  From a human perspective, the situation seemed ripe for a rivalry.  Not surprisingly, some of John’s disciples decided to bring the issue to John’s attention.  They informed him that Jesus was receiving more people than John was.  Although it remains unspoken in the text, the implication of a question hung in the air; namely, “What are you going to do about it John?”

Continuing the pattern we have already seen with John, his response is absolutely priceless.  Summing up his response is easy.  The Baptizer said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  There is no hint of animosity or jealousy in John’s words.  And, he went on to elaborate on the doctrine of the Son of God.  He identified Jesus as the One who had come from heaven.  This made His testimony greater than someone merely from earth, as John was.  Further, John said that the Son gives the Spirit without measure, and the Father loves the Son and has given all things to Him.  Thus, we see in John’s words the doctrine of the Trinity.  All three members of the Godhead are represented: Father, Son, and Spirit.  This is a marvelous doctrine from the man, John, who is about to fade out of the picture entirely.

APPLICATION

Although a profound point of application could be made regarding the majesty of John’s trinitarian doctrine in this passage, I think there is a more pertinent point to a Christian’s every day life.  This point is found in verse 29.  We have already seen, back in chapter 1, the great humility of John.  That humble mindset is on display again here in chapter 3.  However, it is accompanied by a critical element that was not obvious previously.  That is, John was joyful in his humility.  He gives the illustration of a best man at a wedding.  The best man is not the center of male attention.  Rather, the bridegroom is.  It is the bridegroom who is receiving his bride.  The celebration is about him and the beginning of his new family.  Yet, a devoted friend of the bridegroom does not feel envy or anger at his friend’s happiness.  No, a good friend is glad.  The joy of his friend gives him joy.  There is no thought of himself.  All his mental energy is poured into celebrating the happiness of the bridegroom.

John uses that metaphor to describe himself in relation to Jesus.  It is not just that John is humble.  He is delighted to be humble.  In fact, his humility completes his joy.  We, who are so naturally opposed to humility, would do well to consider John’s example.