The Man's Danger.

Have you been to a situation that brought your life in danger? I was, when I was in college and underwent through an acute pancreatic operation. I thought I would die that time. Many of us have probably been into a different dangerous situation in life. What we will be reading and studying in this passage is the danger of rejecting Jesus. 

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 

• 22a After this - Referring to his conversation with Nicodemus in the previous verses. Where Jesus taught him that a man must be born again to see and enter the kingdom of God.
• 22b. he spent some time with them, and baptized - In John 4:2 It says " although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. Baptism is a sign of obedient and a public confession that you are a follower of Jesus. It does not help us to get saved because salvation can be obtain only through faith in Jesus and by His grace. (Ephesians 2:6-8). Paul in Romans 6:4 says "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.

24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 

• vs23. We see here John remains baptizing people, leading them to Christ. God has been sending people to him to get baptize.
• vs24. Mark and Luke recorded of John was sent in prison by King Herod because he rebuked him that having an sexual affair with his brother's wife is wrong.  (See Mark 6:14-20 / Luke 3:18-20)
• vs25. Here we see people started to distract John's people about the traditional washing of hands. This would suggest that John might preaching his people that salvation can be found in Christ alone through faith and not by works nor obeying the law. 
• vs26. This could a sign of jealousy on the part of John's disciples when they saw Jesus baptizing as well and people followed Him. Let's always check our hearts not to get jealous with other fellow believers doing the things that God assigned to do. Instead let's pray for them as they are also ministering people for God.
• v27. This is a good principle. What you have right now is what God has given to you. In this context, John was satisfied what ministry God has given him. Such as the number of followers he had. He could not ask for more. This is a good reminder to all us friends. We have to teach our hearts to be contented of what God has given us. Sometimes we want more but we failed to realize that it's God who provided the work or ministry and He knew what we can and we can't handle. We would be always thankful to God for the people He entrusted us to be ministered. John was telling them what he has receive is what has given from God which is to baptize. He continued by saying he was not the Messiah in v28 but he was sent ahead to prepare the Way of the Messiah.

Never take God's glory. All glory belongs to Him.

28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[h] 31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 

• v28 Previous verses like John 1:19-27 where John was asked by some Jews. He said was not the Messiah nor the Prophet that Moses was told. John even if he was baptizing Jesus yet he remain humbled and even said he was not worthy to untie Jesus sandals. But there are people today like this man Apollo Quiboloy based in Davao City Philippines, who's been claiming he is the son of God for the gentiles. Many times he went up to a mountain in with 12 of his followers wore in white and waited for Jesus second coming but they failed because we knew the Bible never mention any dates or time of Jesus second coming. Mr Quiboloy was featured on ABC Channel lived in a luxurious life with mansion and people served for him. Which is contrary with Jesus when He said " I came to serve not to be served". (Matthew 20:28). Also Jesus in his life on earth never lived in luxurious way life nor sleep on a bed of roses instead He said ", "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:58). 
• Quiboloy not only a cult leader but also he has been facing some controversies. 

•  v29. As Jesus the bridegroom, bride in the context is the Israelite. John was the friend of the bridegroom, whom he tells them that he only waits and listens for Jesus. And to hear Jesus voice gives him full of joy. What about us? Are we like John who has joy as well when we hears Jesus voice through His word? 
• v29b friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him. John's humility who waits and listens for Jesus as the bridegroom and he as the friend.
• v30 Hence, Jesus was the bridegroom must become greater and John was saying he must become less.  When we serve God and He blessed our ministry in numbers perhaps. We have to never forget to remain humble and always acknowledge God's greatness in our lives.  

• v31. John was emphasizing Jesus greatness. He repeatedly saying Jesus was above all. He comes from above is above all. If John with all his heart acknowledged Jesus was above all. Why there are people today could not accept that fact? 

32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.  34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[i] gives the Spirit without limit. 

•  Jesus also mentioned this to Nicodemus during their conversation in the John 3: 11 " Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. Jesus as the source of truth speaks of he know and testify of he has seen. As He himself is the truth. 

• All the words that Jesus has spoken are words of God. When Jesus was baptized by John. A voice from Heaven said "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Then the Spirit came upon Him.

• We can see here the picture of the triune God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

• v35. This does not mean Jesus has less authority or power. But it simply means He has all the authority in his Hands. We have to also consider the audiences were Jews and they're seeing Jesus as an ordinary man born in a small town of Bethlehem. 
• v36. God gives us the freewill to believe or to reject His Son Jesus. There are only two choices. Each choice has result. If you believe you have an eternal life, if you reject you won't see life. Why? Because God's wrath remains on you. So which choice are you? And that's the danger of man. When he rejects Jesus as His Lord and Savior.

Text Reading: John 3: 22-36