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.

1. (verses 22-24) Why do you think Jesus chose the same time that John was at Jordan to be baptizing there?

Verse 23 gives the reason for the location, "there was much water there." But God never works anything by chance. It was for the benefit of many of John’s disciples who would later follow Jesus, that the timing of these baptisms coincided. As we will see, the occasion may have been cause for an early theological dispute.

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.

2. (verse 25) What became of this dispute with the Jews?

Since nothing seems to have been resolved by this dispute, why is it even mentioned? The fact that it is mentioned in context with what follows may give us an indication of the nature of the dispute. Lange points out that this discussion may have arisen because the Jew in question was baptized by Jesus and challenged John’s authority to baptize or at least questioned its value. As a result the disciples of John turn to consider Jesus’ ministry and what it means in relation to John’s ministry. Fortunately for them, John is ready to give them an answer to help them make the transition from being a disciple of John to being a disciple of Jesus. But this all started with a controversy. Controversy is not necessarily a bad thing if it causes us to dig deeper for the truth and to learn more about Jesus.

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!"

27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

3. (verses 26-27) How important was John’s ministry? Read Acts 1:21-22. In Peter’s mind, when did the disciples’ ministry of serving Christ begin?

From Acts 1:21-22 it is apparent that the disciples considered the start of their ministry serving Christ began when they were disciples of John the Baptist. John was the forerunner, who was sent ahead to prepare the hearts and minds of the people. We all share in the ministry of Christ. Some receive much acclaim and honor, others seem to slave away in obscurity. But each servant of Christ has a ministry that God has ordained. We are not to judge our ministry by worldly standards. We are only to be obedient to the call that God has placed on our lives, and do what he tells us to do. We all share in the building of God’s kingdom, but it is God who arranges how this all works out for his glory.

28 "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, `I am not the Christ,’ but, `I have been sent before Him.’

29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; 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.

4. (verses 28-29) What in John’s attitude should be the attitude of every minister of the gospel?

The job of pastors is to present Christ. We must strive to get out of the way and allow people to see Christ. This job is made easier when we realize that we can do nothing in our own strength. When we truly appreciate how weak, how inadequate, and how incapable we are in our own abilities, then it is easier for us to point others to the one who is strong, who is capable, and who is able to meet the needs of all those who come to him.

30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.

5. (verse 30) What are some areas in your life that you struggle with being humble?

God has given us talents, abilities, and knowledge to be used for his glory. The problem arises when we start to trust in our own ability instead of trusting in God. We need to realize that everything we have is because of God’s mercy toward us. As we learn to depend on his strength, instead of our own abilities, we will find it easier to let him increase in our life. If we feel that we can do things in our own ability, then we will be in trouble.

31 "He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

6. (verse 31) Since we are of the earth, what should we do when we face heavenly things that we don’t understand?

John is gently teaching his disciples an important lesson. There will be some spiritual things that we will not understand. John’s disciples no doubt loved him and were very committed to his ministry. They probably could not understand why God would raise up another to take John’s place. There will be things that God asks of you that you will not understand. There will come times in your life when you simply have to trust on faith. We are of the earth. We may not understand all heavenly things.

32 "And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.

33 "He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.

34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.

7. (verses 32-34) Describe what you think the role of each one was in Christ’s ministry – the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus.

Here in verse 34 we see the ministry of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God sent Christ, Jesus spoke the words of God, and the Spirit is upon Christ without measure. Notice that verses 32-33 tell us that Jesus received his message from God. It may be difficult in our human understanding to differentiate between the ministry of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but remember verse 31 tells us we are of the earth. We may not understand all heavenly things.

35 "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

8. (verses 35-36) How many different ways can men get to heaven?

Verse 36 clearly tells us that "He who does not believe the Son shall not see life." There is only one way to God. John 14:6 tells us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." We must accept Christ in our heart as our Savior.

9. (verse 36) What happens if people reject the words of Christ?

Christ came to the world that all might be saved. But God does not take away our free will. We must all choose to receive what God has provided for us. There are some who reject this free gift. For those that do, verse 36 says "the wrath of God abides on him." Let us not reject the words of Christ, but let us allow him to enter our hearts and be Lord of our life. The Bible teaches there are three things we must do:

1. Repent. Mark 1:15. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ " Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

2. Believe. Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

3. Confess. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we receive all the blessings of heaven for all eternity.

Footnotes:

This study on John 3:22-36 © 1997 by David Humpal. All Rights Reserved.

Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, The Gospel of John, pg. 142, Zondervan Publishing House