23 John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were going there to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put into prison.)
25 Some of John’s followers had an argument with a Jew about religious washing. 26 So they came to John and said, “Teacher, remember the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you spoke about so much? He is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 John answered, “A man can get only what God gives him. 28 You yourselves heard me say, ‘I am not the Christ, but I am the one sent to prepare the way for him.’ 29 The bride belongs only to the bridegroom. But the friend who helps the bridegroom stands by and listens to him. He is thrilled that he gets to hear the bridegroom’s voice. In the same way, I am really happy. 30 He must become greater, and I must become less important.
31 “The One who comes from above is greater than all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and talks about things on the earth. But the One who comes from heaven is greater than all. 32 He tells what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts what he says. 33 Whoever accepts what he says has proven that God is true. 34 The One whom God sent speaks the words of God, because God gives him the Spirit fully. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given him power over everything. 36 Those who believe in the Son have eternal life, but those who do not obey the Son will never have life. God’s anger stays on them.”
Read John 3:23-36 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
When we think of people in the Bible who are humble, chances are that the person this passage focuses on is not among the highest on our list. However, in this passage, we see a glimpse of the character of John the Baptizer, and the glimpse we see is one that shows His understanding of His role in relation to the Messiah.
The key phrase that reveals John’s character is how he opens his response: “A man can get only what God gives him.” (v. 27)
This phrase summarizes a deep understanding of life and the secret of contentment. In the context, John is speaking of followers and fame, but if we look at the theme/idea surrounding this phrase, it can be applied to most every area of our lives in the marketing-centered society that we live in. Marketing tries to get you to feel like you need or would benefit from having something else; contentment says I am okay with what I have.
John follows up this statement by saying, “You yourselves heard me say, ‘I am not the Christ, but I am the one sent to prepare the way for him.’” and “He must become greater, and I must become less important.” (v. 28, 30)
John understands his role, and it is not being Jesus. He is content with the followers God has given him, but he understands his mission is to not collect followers, but to point the followers he collects to the actual Messiah. John seems thrilled to simply be living during a time when he could meet the Messiah personally.
“A man can get only what God gives him.” (v. 27)
While culture says that it is up to us (our drive, our connections, our talent, our determination, etc.), John counters this idea by pointing us to the source, and that all we are given ultimately comes from God.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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