John 1:10-14
Only One Way to Experience Salvation
John 1:15-18
The Incarnation of Christ
John 1:24-28
“Why are you baptizing?”
John 1:29-34
Jesus The Lamb of God
John 1:35-42
The First Disciples
John 1:43-51
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathaniel
John 2:1-12
Changing Water into Wine
John 2:13-25
Jesus Turns Over the Tables
John 3:1-12
What Does it Mean to be Born Again?
John 3:13-24
What does it mean to believe?
John 3:22-30
Confusion About The New Birth
John 3:25-36
“He must increase, but I must decrease”
John 4:1-15
Jesus Meets the Samaritan Women
John 4:16-26
It is not Where You Worship But How
John 4:27-38
The Harvest is Ready
John 4:39-45
Jesus’ time with the Samaritans
John 4:46-54
Jesus Heals the Nobleman’s Son
John 5:1-13
Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
John 5:14-18
Jesus Claims to be God
John 5:19-29
Four Types of Resurrections
John 5:30-47
Blindness to the Truth of the Scriptures
John 6:1-14
Philip Fails the Exam
John 6:15-27
Jesus Calms Their Fears
John 6:28-40
What’s Your Motive for Following Jesus
John 6:36-44
The Reaction of The Jews
“He must increase, but I must decrease”
John 3:25–36
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
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Last time, we read that Jesus and John the Baptist were doing separate baptismal ministries (vv. 21-24). During that time a debate erupted between their disciples over which of them had the greater purifying ability (v. 25). It seems that John’s disciples were jealous of Jesus and concerned about the decreasing popularity of their leader (v. 26). John told them that all ministry and blessing come from God. Therefore, there is no room for competition in ministry (v. 27). John had no right to claim any more importance than what God had given him. Even today, it’s easy for us to get caught up in competition with those involved in similar ministries to ours. John told his disciples that he was not the Messiah, but merely the one sent to prepare the way (v. 28). John used a beautiful illustration, comparing Jesus to the bridegroom and himself to the best man (v. 29). In the Old Testament, Israel was called the bride and Jehovah the bridegroom. Once the bride and groom are brought together, the work of the best man is done.
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (v. 30). Knowing that God has given everything, one who loves God should not envy another person’s gifts, abilities, or accomplishments (v. 31). John knew that he was “from the earth,” while Jesus, as God’s Son, was “from heaven” (vv. 32-35). John taught his disciples that the one who accepts Jesus and the truth of His message avoids God’s wrath, participates in the life of the Spirit, and has life eternal (v. 36).
John’s final eulogy (vv. 31-36) did many things. It is an independent testimony establishing that Jesus’s origin was heavenly (v. 31), that Jesus preached a heavenly message from God (vv. 32-33), and that this message deals with every man’s eternal destiny (vv. 34-36).
Application
I need to ask myself how I feel when someone else is recognized as greater while I become lesser. I need to have a plan for dealing with jealousy in my life.
John 3:25-36 (English Standard Version)
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