Jesus Revealed Series - Jesus, Real Life Begins With HimSample

John's Testimony - Part 1  

Thoughts on the Passage

First, John is baptizing at Aenon near Salim.

This is near the place where Elijah was told to go by God – where the ravens would feed him. It is not just a place where there was water, it was a place the people would recognize - God took care of His prophet here. The Bible says that John would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. John was giving the people a strong unspoken message. This place was not chosen randomly. Jesus is here as well. That is not a random location for Jesus either. He is the prophet promised by God through Moses.

Second, Jesus is becoming more popular than John. 

That is bothering John’s disciples a lot. John is not bothered at all. John knows that Jesus should be the more popular one – He is the bridegroom, John is just a guest. Who would want to outshine the bridegroom? Well, John’s disciples wanted a little more light shone on them and John! 

Third, the disciples of John and the Pharisees are arguing about purification.

There is lots of water in this location – but it is not the “special water” the religious people thought was needed to use for purification. If they were baptizing people – they needed to use the right water! We get caught up is such silly arguments sometimes. These arguments do no good. They only cause us to fight over little things that do not matter – be careful. Sometimes things sound good, but do not add spiritual value. Let’s not be people who do that.

Application

Does the presence of Jesus make our lives full of joy, or do we worry about how we are seen by others? Do we complain about how we are being treated, or how things are done? It is time to rejoice in His presence – that is all that needs to fill our hearts. Jesus is here, He is honored – let’s rejoice.

Time to Pray

Father, I know it is easy to complain about what others are doing in their worship or in their actions. John did not let that take up his thoughts nor touch his actions. He loved to see Jesus in first place – everything else was not important. Today, I want Jesus in first place in my life, in my joy and in my focus. Other things will take their place and they are a far distant second or lower. Forgive me when I focus on things, my position or my perspective. It just leads me to say and do silly things. I am tired of letting them get in the way of Jesus and my joy at seeing Him lifted up. So Jesus, be lifted up today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.