The Source of Real Joy

Take a moment to find Aenon on a map. It's near the border of Samaria—an important detail. So why was John the Baptist ministering there? What was he doing so close to Samaria? Until now, John had been preparing the way for the Messiah among the Jewish people, like a voice crying out in the wilderness, making straight the path (Isaiah 40:3). So why is he now at the edge of Samaritan territory?

And here's another question—why didn’t John simply leave his ministry to follow Jesus, as he encouraged his own disciples to do? Let’s see what can be uncovered.

Questions from your reading

• Up to this point, what do you know about John the Baptist?
• How would you describe John’s character?
• What is John modelling for us?
• What was Jesus modelling in John 3:22? And in John 4:1–3?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Today, we see two men of God—Jesus and John—both sent by the Father, each with a growing ministry. But a turning point is arriving. Jesus' ministry is beginning to eclipse John’s. Here in Aenon, much of what we learn about Jesus comes through the lens of John’s experience.

Picture the scene: John has already identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Perhaps Jesus told John to continue preparing the way—that his work wasn’t finished. So John keeps going, faithfully clearing the path. This will become clearer tomorrow as Jesus steps into Samaritan territory.

Meanwhile, John’s disciples begin to argue with another Jew about how John’s baptism compares to ceremonial washing. This man criticises John’s ministry, pointing out that Jesus is now baptising more people than John. As a result, John’s disciples approach him (v. 26), confused and concerned that Jesus’ popularity is rising while John’s is declining.

Take a moment to read verses 27–30 and observe the heart of a true man of God—a true disciple of Jesus.

Here are three key lessons from John the Baptist:

1. John knew who he was—and who Jesus was. He understood that Jesus was the Messiah, the Bridegroom. John saw himself clearly: the friend of the Bridegroom. The best man. It's easy to imagine John one day fulfilling this role at the great marriage feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9).
2. John had discovered the true source of joy. Joy didn’t come from the success of his ministry or his circumstances. It came from being near the Bridegroom and hearing his voice. John said, “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete” (John 3:29). This is joy—being close to Jesus and listening to him.
3. John lived in humble obedience. After hearing Jesus speak, he could do nothing else but obey. He knew it wasn’t about him—it was about Jesus. He said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). A disciple’s life is about dying to self so that Jesus can live through them. John is one of the clearest pictures of a man who had learned to die to self and live for Christ. In Jesus, he found lasting joy.

Applying what you’ve read

Root number seven is the priority of being with Jesus and listening to his voice.

This cannot be overstated—if you're going to grow as a true disciple of Jesus, and help others do the same, you must practise the presence of God. Spend time with him. Listen. Obey. Choose to die to self so that Jesus may live fully through you.

Find a friend who knows Jesus and talk together about what it means to decrease, so that he might increase in you.