APRIL 23, 2017
JOHN, THE BRIDEGROOM’S FRIEND; AND JESUS, THE BRIDEGROOM
INTRODUCTION:
1. In Verse 22 we read, “After these things…”
a) After Jesus had made his official Messianic entrance into the temple, first manifesting Himself as a Reformer calling for national repentance (Ch. 2:13-22);
b) After He had manifested Himself as Prophet, teaching and working miracles (Ch. 2:23-25);
c) After He had demonstrated His prophetic roll in His wonderful conference with Nicodemus (Ch. 3:1-21).
2. “After these things,” He and the disciples removed from Jerusalem out into the countryside of Judea, where they were baptizing. Jesus did not Himself baptize, but His disciples (Ch. 4:2), however it was under His authority.
3. Since they were baptizing in near proximity to where John the Baptist was, the Jews seized this opportunity to attempt to stir up controversy between Christ and His loyal friend, John.
4. It appears form what we read here that the Jews’ intention was to try and provoke John to jealousy. Actually there was a twofold effort toward that end.
a) In Verse 25, the dispute between John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying may have had to do with some purifying institutions under the Mosaic Law; or, perhaps the question that arose was over whose baptism was most purifying: John’s or Jesus’.
b) In Verse 26, John’s disciples brought the whole matter to their master because apparently the Jews had convinced John’s disciples that John’s baptism was being slighted, and also that John himself was being upstaged by Jesus.
5. It is in his response to all of this that John shines forth as one of the greatest examples of Christian humility to be found in all of Scripture.
a) John here gives a marvelous testimony in which he identifies himself as a faithful friend of the Bridegroom; and Jesus as the True Bridegroom.
b) John, in his testimony, insists that Jesus must have the preeminence, while his own purpose was to decrease so as not to detract in any way from Him to whom all honor must be given.
I. JOHN HERE SETS HIMSELF FORTH AS THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM. (VERSES 27-30)
A. JOHN WAS PERFECTLY CONTENT WITH BEING THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM, SEEING THAT WAS THE PART THAT GOD HAD PURPOSED FOR HIM. (VERSES 27-29)
1. John’s disciples tried to create a rivalry between him and Jesus, but John let them know that he was only doing what his heavenly assignment entailed.
a) If all men were coming to Jesus (Verse 26b), it had to be because God had purposed it to be so. (Of course, that was an exaggeration propagated by the Jews in order to provoke John to jealousy.)
b) They pointed out that Jesus had been “with John;” John had born witness of Him, gave Him His start, as it were, and now “all men” were flocking to Jesus. But John was well aware of his roll, and not only did he have no problem with Jesus’ success, he rather rejoiced in it. His calling was to prepare the way for Messiah (Ch. 1:23); to bear witness to the true Light (Ch. 1:8); to open the door so that the true Shepherd of Israel might enter. (Ch. 10:2.Ch. 10:2, 3)
c) John was performing the divinely ordained task that was assigned him, and so also was Jesus.
2. John had made it clear from the outset that he was not the Messiah. (Verse 28; Ch. 1:19-27)
3. John’s part was that of the Bridegroom’s friend. This was an official person.
a) The friend of the bridegroom was to go on behalf of the bridegroom to the bride, and ask her hand in marriage.
b) He then acts as a go-between for the bridegroom and the bride, if she reciprocated.
c) He was to preside at the marriage feast. He was a very important figure; to this point he was the most visible, but he was not the bridegroom, and his visibility would soon fade.
d) In doing this, the friend would “hear” the vows of love between the bridegroom and the bride.
e) All of this is a touching picture of the ministry of John the Baptist.
4. John assured them that he was most delighted, and perfectly fulfilled in performing his duties as the Bridegroom’s friend. “This my joy therefore is fulfilled.” There was therefore no jealousy in John’s heart whatsoever.
B. AS THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM, JOHN KNEW THAT HIS PART WOULD DECREASE. (VERSE 30)
1. This was necessary because of the nature of the case according to the custom of the day.
a) In the beginning stages, the friend of the Bridegroom had a prominent roll.
b) As the go-between, only his voice would be heard by the bride, for he would speak for the Bridegroom.
c) In time, as things progressed, the bride would hear less and less form the friend.
d) The Bridegroom would finally assume the central and prominent roll. “He must increase.”
2. This was especially necessary in this case because of the nature of this Bridegroom. He is unique and glorious.
II. JOHN HERE SETS JESUS FORTH AS THE BRIDEGROOM.
A. HE IS A GLORIOUSLY UNIQUE BRIDEGROOM. (VERSES 31-35)
1. He is unique in His origin. (Verse 31)
a) He is from above.
(1) The calling and mission of every divine agent is from above.
(2) But, the very Person of Jesus the Christ is uniquely from above. All other divine agents are born from above (Verse 3), but He actually “came down from heaven.” (Compare Verse 13)
b) He Who is from above is therefore above all. All previous agents, including John, must be eclipsed by Jesus, for they are all “of the earth,” and He is “from heaven.”
c) John speaks of himself by comparison.
(1) His origin: “He that is of the earth…”
(2) His being: “He…is earthly.”
(3) His teaching: “He…speaketh of the earth.”
d) Jesus alone is absolutely from above.
2. Jesus is unique in the perfection of His teaching. (Verses 32-34)
a) His teaching comes from filial communication with the Father. (Verse 32a; Compare Verse 11)
(1) Jesus came from heaven and spoke of the things which He knew firsthand.
(2) As opposed to the earthly speech of John and others of the earth, Jesus spoke of what He had personally seen and heard of the Father in heaven.
b) In spite of this, the generality of Israel did not believe Him. (Contrary to what the Jewish agitators were saying.)
(1) The Jews were telling John’s disciples that “all men come to Him.” John said, “No man receiveth His testimony.”
(2) John allows that some believed and those who did truly receive His testimony set to their seal that God is true. (Verse 33)
a) Faith in Christ as the true Mediator and Savior gives testimony to the truth of God, and seals it.
b) This John also stated in his first Epistle: “He that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God have of his Son.” (I John 5:10)
c) Those who do believe Him, officially attest that He has spoken the very words of God.
d) Jesus’ words were the very words of God because the Father sent Him. (Verse 34)
e) His words are the very words of God because God has given Him the Holy Spirit without measure.
3. Jesus is unique through His dignity as Son. (Verse 35a)
a) The Father has an incomparable love for the Son. The eternal Father loved the world (Verse 16) but He loved the Son with a more singular and peculiar love, so that all things were by the Father delivered to Him.
b) “Love” here is absolute, as are “sent” and “speaketh.” (Verse 34)
4. Jesus is unique in His resultant ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY. (Verse 35b)
a) John would never complain that He Who is from above, and one with the Father, should receive the preeminence.
b) John would never complain against God whose purpose it was to give all things into the hands of His Son.
c) John would never complain against Him Who has a natural right to all things. (Eph. 1:22)
B. HOW ONE RESPONDS TO HIM WHOM GOD HAS SENT IS MOST SERIOUS. (VERSE 36)
1. One who believeth on Him has (as a present reality) eternal life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
2. One who believeth not remains in a state of spiritual death. “He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life.” Notice, in order to believe on Him one must believe Him, i.e. believe His words. (Rom. 10:17)
3. One who believeth not the Son draws the wrath of God upon himself, both now and forever.
a) God’s wrath presently abides on the unbeliever.
b) To continue as an unbeliever will be to experience the horrors of unmitigated wrath eternally.
c) May we all hear and heed John’s warning, and “flee the wrath to come.” (Matt. 3:7)
Speak Your Mind