-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - EARLY JUDEAN MINISTRY

 Jesus and John the Baptizer In Judea

-John 3:22-36

-Jesus and His disciples were baptizing people as was John.

      -John 4:1 reveals “that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John”.  John 4:2 indicates that

       Jesus didn’t do the actual act of baptizing but had His disciples do it.

      -I find it interesting that many people appeal to John 3:16 in an attempt to support salvation by faith

       only.  However, in the verses immediately following the words of Jesus (that included John 3:16),

       we find that both Jesus and John were having their disciples baptized in water.

-A question was brought to John about the activities of Jesus.  It seems that John’s disciples were

 developing a since of jealously toward the popularity of Christ.  Once again, John pointed the people

 to the Lord.  John identified himself as the friend of the bridegroom and Jesus as the bridegroom.

       -“Jesus’ success was welcomed by the Baptizer, but not by the disciples who had remained with

         him.  They were filled with jealousy (v. 26).  Battles have been lost because of jealousy between

         Generals.  Jealousy is a constant threat to the harmony of the work of the Lord” (Roper,2, p46). -“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – What a statement!  This gives some insight into the 

  character of John.  He understood his particular role and knew that it was time for the people to

  follow Jesus.  We find no self-interest nor jealousy in John’s statement.

-Verse 34 – Jesus didn’t have a partial measure of the Spirit but had the Spirit in fullness.