Today’s Reading: John 3:21-36; Psalm 42
Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people. – John 3:22
I wonder if there were moments when the disciples considered going home. They had watched Jesus quietly turn the water into wine, and they had watched Jesus make a scene in the Temple as he threw over tables and challenged the selfish motives of the Temple leaders. Perhaps they had listened in on his conversation with Nicodemus, wondering what Jesus meant when he said one had to be born again in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven. One thing is clear, when Jesus left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside, his disciples made the decision to stay by his side.
THE DISCIPLES SAW OTHERS COME TO FAITH IN JESUS BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO STAY CLOSE TO HIM.
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. – John 3:23
Opposition was building against John the Baptist and there were many who wanted to quiet him, but John continued to preach a message of repentance and many were saved. Verse 23 makes a statement that is obvious yet profound — John baptized at Aenon because there was water there. John, who was called to preach salvation and bring people to a point of decision, positioned himself by the source of water in order to be equipped to do what God had called him to do. He chose an area known for its water source in order to have what he needed to baptize those who came to hear him preach.
JOHN THE BAPTIST STAYED CLOSE TO A WATER SOURCE IN ORDER TO DO WHAT GOD HAD CALLED HIM TO DO.
I have been thinking a lot about the concept of proximity lately. Where is God calling me to position myself in order to be used by Him for the sake of the Kingdom? If the Lord asks me to uproot and relocate, am I willing to respond in obedience? One thing I know for sure, God calls me to position myself at His feet each morning as I study His holy word and seek understanding from Him. I wake up eager to spend time with my Savior, as I drink my morning coffee.
A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. – John 3:25-27
John’s disciples seem to be concerned about the future of John’s ministry. After all, if people start going to Jesus for baptism, then less people will come to John the Baptist for the same. Their concerns were coming from a mindset of scarcity, but John’s faith was in a source that would never run dry. He knew that everything he had came from God.
THERE IS NO REASON TO WORRY ABOUT LIMITED RESOURCES WHEN YOU STAY CLOSE TO THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. – John 3:28-30
John the Baptist gave us a beautiful word picture of him standing beside the bridegroom. He describes himself as the friend who finds joy in being close to the man of the hour — to listen to the words of the bridegroom as the bride joins him in a covenant relationship. John was willing to be less in order to watch Jesus become greater in the lives of God’s people.
THERE IS JOY TO BE FOUND WHEN WE POSITION OURSELVES CLOSE TO THE SAVIOR.
“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” – John 3:31-36
John the Baptist had been filled with the Holy Spirit since he was still in his mother’s womb, so he recognized the work of the Spirit in Jesus. He knew the source of everything Jesus was doing was God Himself, and that God was a limitless resource!
Father God, thank you for being the source of everything that we need to be who you have called us to be and to do what you have called us to do. As we position ourselves beside you this morning, we ask for you to make your presence known. Give us the words to say today. Give us understanding and wisdom as we position ourselves in proximity to the source of everything that we need. Amen.
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him? – Psalm 42:1-2