He Must Increase, John 3:22-36

 

After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. John 3:22.

After what things?

After the hustle and bustle of the city; clearing the temple in Jerusalem, and interviewing with Nick at night, they headed to the countryside.  

They didn’t go too far, they remained in Judea, which was the southern region of Israel. Samaria was the middle and Galilee was the northern region.  

²³ Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. ²⁴ For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Aenon means, spring or natural fountain.

The maps are all over the map, regarding the location of, Aenon near Salim. Many show it’s about forty miles up the Jordan river, just off the northeast corner of Samaria. Some say it’s in northcentral Samaria, and then others place it just north of the Dead Sea.

But by looking at our text, in context, it indicates that John, also was baptizing, in the general vicinity of Jesus in the countryside of Judea.

We believe the Bible, no matter what the maps of man have to say.

There’s evidence of an Aenon (water spring) that fits our description, only about five miles northeast of Jerusalem. It’s called, Wady Farah. Considering the context of our Scripture, it may be the very place where these things took place.

²⁵ Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

Imagine that. A dispute between the religious, about religion. An argument amongst John’s disciples, and the Jews (Pharisees). The argument was about purification. They threw mud at each other while arguing about how to stay clean.

Can you smell that? Something stinks. Smells fishy. 

Notice, when they came to John, they didn’t ask about the mandatory method of hand washing, or, the proper protocol for purification…wasn’t that what the dispute was supposed to be about?

The issue is never the issue.

The fact that they didn’t ask John the Baptist anything about purification exposes the wizard behind the curtain.

Rip back the curtain and we see the entire scene in three short words: the devil divides.

The players in the devil’s drama:

1.     The religious, (pharisees), masquerade as ambassadors of purity. Their pride filled hearts, make them perfect for this part.

2.     John’s disciples, fresh to ministry, eager to learn, easily manipulated into pridefully protecting the pulpit of John the Baptist.

The plot:

Sow discord between John and Jesus.  

They (John and Jesus) were the Two-edged Sword God was using to penetrate the planet. Jesus, the Word; John, the voice.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness. John 1:23.

Look again at what they said to John. They respectfully called him, Rabbi, which means teacher. But they didn’t even say the name of Jesus. They just refer to Him as some Guy John had been with, and endorsed. Rabbi, He who was with you, who you endorsed; now look, behold! He’s stealing our ministry. Taking our followers. He’s baptizing. That’s not right. That’s your job. That’s your last name for crying out loud; John the Baptist.

Rather than joyful, John’s disciples were jealous. Their pride was hurt.

First, just to be clear. Jesus did not personally, baptize. John 4:2. Paul didn’t either. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18. This was wise, in an effort to avoid pride.

Pride is ugly.

Destructive.

God hates it.

Proverbs 8:13. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Proverbs 11:2. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12. Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 29:23. A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Matthew 23:12. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Pride infected the once perfectly pure heart of lucifer, and got him kicked out of heaven and God’s presence.  It’s the venom that poisoned the DNA of all mankind and got Adam and Eve, evicted from the Garden.  It drove Nebuchadnezzar mad, for seven years; like a wild beast he roamed, his hair like feathers, his nails like claws, eating grass like an animal.  Daniel 4:28-35.

It was pride that caused the downfall of king Saul. 1 Samuel 15:23. And Herod to drop dead and be eaten by worms, after he pridefully accepted praise like a god. Acts 12:23-24.

Pride is what hardened the hearts of religious leaders who shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” while they pointed filthy fingers at the Innocent Lamb of God.

These religious leaders were like pigs in the basement of an outhouse called pride, shouting about how John the Baptist and Jesus needed to stay clean.

The stench of pride rubbed off on John’s disciples. They must’ve plumb forgot what the dispute was supposed to be about; so, by the time they reached John, they reeked of a divisive spirit, pointing jealous fingers at Jesus.

And to think it all stemmed from an oh so righteous concern about purification. The devil comes disguised as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14.

Make no mistake,

The child of pride is division, it’s walls are religion, and the guards are controlling spirits.

N  Pride

N  Division

N  Religion

N  Control

John’s answer takes less than thirty seconds, yet it slays the pride, division, religion and control, just. like. that.

V  Humility

V  Unity

V  Relationship

V  Meekness

 

²⁷ John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 

V  Humility

John counters pride with humility.

Humility is a powerful position.

Humility is not thinking less, of self; it’s thinking of self, less. John saw his place and position through the eyes of Christ, not a mirror, (or followers, accolades, bank account, waistline, friends).

Stepping into humility is not stepping down, it’s stepping aside, inviting God to step forward.

Humility, humiliates pride into hiding.

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6.

 

V  ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom;

 

V  Unity

There’s no better picture to dismantle division, than that of a wedding—two united as one.

John simply reflects the picture God has already painted.

In the beginning, He brought Eve to Adam, and the two became one. In the beginning of His miracles, Jesus adds to the portrait by turning water to wine, at a wedding. His grand finale, is the climactic point of unity, the greatest wedding of HIStory, an event you don’t dare miss, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 

V  Relationship

John reveals the ruse of religion by juxtaposing it with relationship.

Religion kills. Relationship gives life.

The letter kills, the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Rules, rituals, rights, regulations, may work for business or religion, but it ruins relationships. God is interested in relationship, not religion. John knew that. A friend is happy when you succeed, even if they don’t. A friend shares your success, and sorrow. John’s joy was full, even if it meant, his followers dwindled.

Which brings us to the knockout punch John used.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

V  Meekness

John uses meekness to cast out the controlling spirit.

You’ve probably heard, meekness is not weakness but strength under control. You also know that, Moses, the mighty servant and friend of God, was also the meekest man on earth. Numbers 12:3.

Jesus tells us, take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29.

What we see in out text today (and our lives) is a battle between heavenly and demonic wisdom.

John meekly, not weakly, delivers a knockout punch to the controlling spirit, by handling control, to God.

Ever decreasing, so God is ever increasing.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18.

Let's pray.

Lord, help us die, to pride, division, religion and a controlling spirit. We humble ourselves and ask You to help us find unity in You, so our relationship with You and each other is a Rock-solid friendship, ever increasing in the meekness of Your wisdom.

Thank You, Lord Jesus.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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