I Love John!

I LOVE JOHN!

John the Baptist Exalts Jesus (The New Living Translation)

22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

23 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. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew[i] over ceremonial cleansing. 26 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.”

27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

31 “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.[j] 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36 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.”

Some people thought he was great, and he was, but he also knew his purpose in life, he didn’t try to fit into somebody else’ shoes, nor did he take the credit.

Although he had amazing insight, for he was told, “When you see the Dove resting on someone’ head, he is the One.” Others would have seen doves land on peoples head in the past, but it was the timing, just after His baptism.  

He also knew he had limitations, he even sent a message to his Cousin to ask, “Are you the One, or should I keep on looking.....” The One wasn’t cross; his Cousin simply said to the men who had asked the question, “Tell John what you have just seen and heard.”

John replied to those who were sent to ask info about him,  when they’d asked, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord,” they would have read this many times before, a verse they would have known well!