JOHN LESSON 9
We will begin this lesson in John 3:22.
V-22, "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the
land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized."
This does not mean that Jesus baptized. Those of Jesus' party
baptized, but Jesus did not personally baptize. Jesus preached and
His disciples baptized. In John 4:2, we see that Jesus didn't
personally baptize, "(though Jesus himself baptized no t, but his
disciples,)" These country folk seemed to be more acceptable of Jesus
than those of the temple.
V-23, "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were
baptized."
We see here that John the Baptist was still preaching repentance
and pointing them to the Saviour. Possibly thousands of people were
baptized by John, and the fact that abundant water was there would be
important. John did not go and join Jesus' group because that was not
what God called him to do. He was to proclaim the coming of Messiah
and tell those who didn't know that He was here.
V-24, "For John was not yet cast into prison."
John had spoken boldly about Herod taking his brother's wife,
Herodias, as his wife. He went so far as to tell them that they were
living in adultery. John would be cast into prison and lose his head
for this accusation.
V-25, "Then there arose a question between some of John's
disciples and the Jews about purifying."
The town that John was in was probably pretty close to Jerusalem,
since this question arose. This ceremonial cleansing with the Jews
was very important and this seemed to be what the discussion was
about. Jesus had taught that what went on in the heart was much more
important than these washings from without. To receive Jesus, there
had to be a change of heart. The spirit of man (within) was what had
to be clean. The cleansed heart brought good things to surface. The
Levitical law contained many ordinances to washing the outward flesh.
I guess if there was one basic difference in the law and grace, it is
the difference in flesh and spirit. Jesus looked on the inside of
man. The law looked on the outside. Washing away your sins wit h
baptism is the baptism of repentance and has to do with the past. The
baptism of the Spirit changes man from within.
V-26, "And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that
was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the
same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
This is meaning John's disciples came to him. Rabbi is a name of
great importance. Jesus was called by this name by those who had
great respect for Him. The strange thing to understand here is that
John's disciples knew that John spoke of Jesus as Messiah. Why did
they not follow Jesus? Perhaps it was loyalty to John, but John's
mission was to open up the way for Jesus the Christ (Messiah). These
disciples are disappointed that more people are being baptized by
Jesus' disciples.
V-27, "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except
it be given him from heaven."
John is telling his disciples here that he has done the job that
God gave him to do. He is not supposed to do more. His mission is
complete. Ministers of today should look at this. John is not
jealous of Jesus. John has done the job that God gave him to do.
Everyone who has ever been called to do anything for God should do
exactly what they are called to do, nothing more and nothing less. We
should never compare ourselves with others' calls. Their call is
different. We must do what God called us to do and not someone else's
job. It may be great or small. Whatever it is, it is our job.
V-28, "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the
Christ, but that I am sent before him."
John, half-reprimanding his disciples, says, "I told you that I
was preparing you for the Messiah (Christ)". John quickly tells them,
"I told you from the beginning that I am not Messiah. I was sent as a
messenger to tell of Him and to make the road open for everyone to
receive Him when He came. You know that is what I said, you are my
witness that is all that I said."
V-29, "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend
of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is
fulfilled."
We see here, John giving them an earthly example so that they
will understand. The friend here is like the best man at the wedding.
He helps prepare for the wedding and gets everything ready for the
wedding, but the groom and bride are the main participants. The
friend must step aside when the wedding actually begins. We know that
this Scripture has a deeper meaning than just the surface. The
bride is the church, those who receive Jesus as Saviour are the bride.
Jesus is the bridegroom. John rejoiced because his message was true.
V-30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
John is saying, "This is the one that I prepared the way for.
Now that He is here, I must step aside and let Him take over". John
is saying the messenger is not as important as the message. When the
message arrives, the messenger's job is done.
V-31, "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the
earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from
heaven is above all."
John says here, "I am an earthly body, and all I can tell you
about is the earth, but Jesus is the Word who took on flesh. This
Jesus can tell you all about heaven, because He has been living in
heaven. He (Jesus) is above me. He is my God."
V-32, "And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and
no man receiveth his testimony."
He, Jesus, has firsthand knowledge of heaven, the heavenly
beings, and the throne of God. He was there. Jesus does not tell you
of things He believes. He tells you of things He knows. He has seen
these things with His own eyes, and heard the things He tells you with
His own ears. Men do not believe Him, because they do not know who He
is, God the Son. Even though the Scriptures have prophesied His
coming for so many years, now that He is here, they do not believe
Him.
V-33, "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal
that God is true."
Those who have received Him, have received the Truth of God.
God's promises always come about. Those who believe Jesus Christ of
Nazareth is Messiah the Saviour have their names written in the Lamb's
book of life.
V-34, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for
God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."
Jesus was completely filled with the Spirit. Every gift of the
Spirit was active in Jesus. It tells it the very way it is in
Colossians 2:9, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily." You see, Jesus was God the Word, who became God the Son. We
call Him Jesus because His purpose on the earth was to be our Jehovah
Saviour.
V-35, "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into
his hand."
In Matthew 11:27, the Lord Jesus says that all things were given
unto Him. John the Baptist heard the voice from heaven say, "This is
my beloved Son". John has heard of the miracles that Jesus has done
which are not part of John's ministry, also. He knows well who this
is.
V-36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him."
We read this very same meaning in Romans 10:9-10. Believeth, as
we have said before, has a much deeper meaning than what we see on the
surface here. Believeth means continues to believe in the face of all
kinds of hardships. Jesus expresses Himself later in this book of
John by saying, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life". We have
discussed how the breath of life within us was placed there by God.
Believing has to do with being willing to be obedient to God. If we
believe, then we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He is Truth,
Happiness, Joy, Knowledge, Love, and a million other really good
things. How could we be such a fool to turn down all of that by
saying we do not believe. It is so simple to truly believe way down
deep in our heart and then confess that belief to others. I want to
say one thing here that might not relate too closely, but I believe it
is a point. Adam and Eve were in the garden where the Tree of life
was. The Tree of life (Jesus) was available to them. It was in the
center of the garden. Had they eaten of the Tree of life (Jesus),
they would have lived forever. They ate around the edge of the
garden. They didn't take the trouble to go to the center of the
garden. Christians (so called) stop nibbling at the edge of the
garden. Make Jesus (the Tree of life) the center of your life and
you, too, will acquire everlasting life.
Notes
JOHN 9 QUESTIONS
1. What were Jesus and His men doing in the land of Judaea?
2. Did Jesus actually baptize?
3. Who was baptizing at Aenon?
4. Why did they choose that spot?
5. In verse 24, we know that what awaits John?
6. What were the questions that arose between Jesus' disciples and
John's disciples?
7. Jesus taught that the purifying that was necessary was what?
8. What is the difference between the law and Jesus' teaching?
9. What honorable name did John's disciples call him?
10. What slight exaggeration did John's disciple make?
11. What was John's mission God gave him?
12. Where are the orders given for anyone who is called to the
ministry?
13. What did John remind his disciples of in verse 28?
14. Who is the bridegroom symbolic of in verse 29?
15. Who is the bridegroom's friend?
16. Why was John rejoicing that Jesus had the greater number of
followers?
17. In verse 30, what does John say about himself and Jesus?
18. Which is more important, the message or the messenger?
19. Who is above all?
20. Why can Jesus tell so well about heavenly things?
21. What have those done who received Jesus' testimony?
22. Who is the only one who ever was filled completely with the Spirit
on earth?
23. In Colossians 2:9, what do we learn of Jesus?
24. Who gave all things into Jesus' hands?
25. How did John know that God the Father loved Jesus?
26. He that believeth on the Son hath _______________________
_____________________________.
27. What abideth on him that believes not?
28. What causes us to be obedient to God?
29. Where was the Tree of Life located in the garden of Eden?
30. What lesson can we Christians learn from the location of the Tree?
Notes
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