Day 296 – John Identifies Jesus as the Christ

Today’s reading for study: John 3:22-36

In today’s reading, we see some of John the Baptist’s disciples ask him about Jesus.

Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is flocking to Him.” John 3:25-26

The question has something to do with purification.  We know that John baptized with a “baptism of repentance” (Acts 19:4).  So the question is whether Jesus' disciples were offering a different, presumably greater, baptism.  John answers by confirming what he previously stated, that he (John the Baptist) is not the Christ.  Then, he seems to confirm that Jesus is:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The One who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true. For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. John 3:30-35

In the above passage, it is unclear whether everything after the first sentence is from the mouth of John the Baptist or is commentary from John the Apostle.  Regardless the effect is the same.   It confirms that Jesus is greater than the Baptist and is the one John the Baptist was speaking of when he said that the Christ would come after him.

Tomorrow: John 4:1-26