John 3:22-30

This year we are covering the four Gospel Accounts together in chronological order.

In the previous post, we covered John 3:18-21. Here was the conclusion:

John stated Jesus didn't have to judge people because everyone brings judgment on themselves when they choose not to believe in Jesus.


John 3
"22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison."

(Notice, the timing for these events was before John the Baptist was put into prison. Again, the Gospel according to John the Disciple focused much more on the events during the first year of Jesus' Public Ministry. Jesus and John the Baptist were both baptizing at the same time.)

"25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying."

(A religious leader asked one of John the Baptist's disciples about purifying. Remember, we saw in the post titled, "John 1:25-28" that the religious leaders made converts through a ceremonial cleansing that could be called "baptism". John the Baptist was questioned as to his authority to do this without permission from the religious leaders. Here, it looked like John the Baptist continued to get questioned by the religious leaders.)

"26 And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."

(John the Baptist's disciples told him that Jesus was baptizing at the same time and "all men" were going to Him.)

"27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is made full."

(This was a Meaning of Life verse! John the Baptist not only called Jesus the Christ, he called Jesus the bridegroom...and he called himself the friend of the bridegroom that stands and hears the bridegroom's voice. We have covered this verse and its implications. Here are some links and excerpts...)

(-Meaning of Life
-Foreshadowing Verses
-Excerpt from "OUGHT Marriage and Wedding":
The wedding was a supper or a feast to which guests were invited. The guests were greeted by the bride and groom. During the feast, the bride and groom went into the bridal chamber (Hebrew: “huppah”) to have sexual intercourse. The best man stood outside the door and waited for the groom’s voice to signify when the marriage was consummated. Once sexual intercourse was completed, the couple was declared “married” if there was proof the bride was a virgin. The proof was the blood stained bedsheet. In the Old Testament, this cloth was presented to the bride’s parents.)

(John the Baptist identified himself as Jesus' "best man"!)

"30 He must increase, but I must decrease."

(John the Baptist confirmed that Jesus was the Christ and that he must decrease while Jesus increased. John the Baptist realized his mission was completed and his time on earth was coming to an end.)


CONCLUSION
John the Baptist called himself Jesus' "best man". John the Baptist confirmed Jesus was the Christ and realized his mission was completed and his time on earth was coming to an end.

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