30.1 For some period of time, (probably several months), after Jesus' talk with Nicodemus, He and His disciples stayed on in Judea, somewhere close to the Jordan river. There they baptized a lot of people. It was Spring of 27 AD,
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. John 3:22
Yet Jesus himself baptized no one, (John 4:2).
30.2 John the Baptist was still ministering further to the North. (see map)
And John also was baptizing in Ænon near Salim, because there was a lot of water there: and they (the people) came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. John 3:23-24
30.3 At Ænon a conflict arose. Some of John's disciples selfishly thought that Jesus was stealing John's ministry.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, the man who was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bare witness, behold, the same is baptizing, and everyone is coming to him. John 3:25-26
30.3 John scolded his own disciples. They should have known better.
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom: Yet the "friend of the bridegroom", who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because he hears the bridegroom's voice: This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:27-30
30.4 John called himself the "friend of the bridegroom". This was a legal term. It meant the bridegroom's best friend. It was the duty of the "friend of the bridegroom" to make sure the bride was a virgin. In Judea the female relatives of the bridegroom would check the bride to make sure she was still a virgin. They would break the hymen, and take some of the blood on a small white cloth to the "friend of the bridegroom", who would then present the evidence to the groom himself. In this way the "friend of the bridegroom" would present the bride to the groom as pure and chaste.
30.5 John also said, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." This attitude is the right attitude for any true minister of God. John was fulfilled to hear Jesus' voice and know that the bridegroom had come. He would gladly give him the bride. All his disciples, and everyone he had baptized were encouraged to follow Jesus.
30.6 John continued on and said,
He who comes from above is above all: He that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the things of earth. He that comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard is what he testifies, yet no one receives his testimony. He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For God does not give Him the Spirit by measure The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that does not believe the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 31-36
30.7 With these words John the Baptist closed his ministry. His testimony to Christ thunders down through the ages. He was the forerunner of Christ, and had performed his ministry perfectly. He had been the first to say "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." John the Baptist was the first Christian, the first to understand Jesus' mission, the first to preach salvation through Christ's atonement, and the first to step aside so that Jesus would increase. John's joy was fulfilled. He had heard the voice of the bridegroom. Soon after this John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and ultimately beheaded for the righteousness he loved.
30.8 Jesus later called John the Baptist the greatest of all prophets. John had done a perfect job of proclaiming and witnessing Christ, and preparing the way for him, exalting him to the people. John had the Spirit of God from his youth. The Bible says that John grew strong in spirit even as a child. (Luke 1:80) All prophets had this distinction. They were called from an early age -- and sought Christ and the things of God from an early age. It was the spirit of Christ that was in them seeking out the things of Christ. The Bible says;
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, Who was in them, did signify when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not to themselves but to us they did minister... I Peter 1:10-12a
30.9 Well might Jesus call John the greatest of all the prophets. John had told the people about Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah.
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.
Revelations 19:10bJohn had this testimony, and he had done his job!
Discussion:
Memory verse: The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy. Revelations 19:10b
Quiz: