John 3

John 3:22-36

Section 2. (John 3:22-36.)John’s final testimony: the contrast between himself and Christ. We have now the final testimony of John to Christ, with the contrast, drawn by John himself, between them. He, though a “burning and a shining light,” as the Lord declares, is earthy, and must pale before the orb of day. But there is no sorrow to him in this: the friend of the Bridegroom only “rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice,” and his testimony at the close rings out in such a manner that many take the latter part of it to be that of the Evangelist rather than the Baptist. But this does not seem, at least, to be marked out for us in any decisive way, and our own thoughts as to what might or might not transcend the intelligence of one in his position do not seem a sufficient authorization. We find at the beginning here Jesus with his disciples in the country of Judea, and baptizing, -although we are presently assured that personally the Lord did not baptize, but His disciples only (John 4:2). We have nowhere else an account of such baptizing, which we naturally conclude to have been of a similar character to that of John, which is immediately mentioned. It is a confirming witness of the truth that John was proclaiming, as we may gather also from Mark 1:15. Baptism is in the New Testament always to death; Christian baptism to Christ’s death (Romans 6:3); and to take one’s place in death is a profession of repentance. Death is the sentence from God under which man has come through sin, and thus those baptized by John confessed in it the sins which had brought them there (Matthew 3:6). In such a position they awaited the forgiveness which He who was coming after John would bestow.

Now He had come, and His own proper ministry began, as is clear, beyond John’s baptism. Yet He could through His disciples confirm the truth of this, while taking care to keep His own place apart. John also continued baptizing, keeping his place as forerunner, and was now in Aenon, “abounding in springs,” near to Salim, or Shalem, “peace.” The names are as significant in this case as in all other in the word of God. Question arose here, we are told, between John’s disciples and a Jew, about purifying. Of the nature of this, and of how little answer there might be, we may judge from the Lord’s words with Nicodemus; and the want of settlement of such a question would be likely to bring up the further one of the new Teacher who had appeared; and the disciples come to John thereupon, with the announcement that He to whom he had borne witness was now Himself baptizing, and men were flocking to Him. John had, in fact, raised questions which he could not settle: we may say that it was of the very essence of his mission, that it should be so. Jesus alone was to satisfy the expectations that had been aroused by John; and in him the spirit of the past ages found embodiment, pointing on beyond themselves. John, therefore, takes occasion by all this that has arisen to speak once more and decisively of his own relationship to Christ. A man can receive nothing, he says, except what has been given him from heaven. For one satisfied with the will of God there is abiding contentment: for, let things go as they may, God still rules all. How blessed to realize that which keeps the heart at peace unfailingly -bids one be still and know than He is God. He had said he was not the Christ, but His fore-runner; and in the crowds that were flocking to the new Teacher he but saw that the bride was for the Bridegroom, not for himself, who was but the Bridegroom’s friend. Did they grieve for him? he joyed with rejoicing -joyed exceedingly, in the Bridegroom’s voice; though it meant for himself necessarily decrease, with the increase of that Other. Was He not necessarily supreme? He who had come from heaven, and bare witness thus of heavenly things with direct personal knowledge of them, such as none that were of the earth could have. Value Him at His worth, what were these crowds that were coming to Him? It seemed, in fact, as if none were receiving His testimony. But those who did so, found therein the truth of God as to all His promises and in all His ways: he could set to his seal that God is true. For God was giving, through Him whom He had sent, free utterance to His own heart.

In contrast with the fragmentary communications of former times, He was not now giving His Spirit by measure. Nay, here was the Son Himself, the Beloved of the Father, with all things given by this love into His hand: His words, therefore, are the full heart of God made known. Faith in Him is, then, the one necessity: he that believeth on Him has eternal life; but he that is not subject to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him. Eternal life or no life; eternal life or wrath abiding: these then are the alternatives. Thus John sends his disciples to Jesus.