Pointing to Jesus

John 3:22–36 ESV

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Main Idea: John the Baptist tells his followers that his ministry is all about pointing other people to Jesus.

- When I was in the early stages of planting a church, we needed to find a building to meet for our services. One of the places we looked into was a new YMCA. We walked in to talk with the person in charge about the possibility of renting the YMCA out on Sunday mornings for a church service. He told us, “I don’t think we’re able to do anything with churches or religious organizations.” Here’s how I wanted to respond: “So you’re telling me the Young Men’s Christian Association can’t be associated with Christians?” This organization founded to minister to young men in the name of Christ had forgotten why it started. It had drifted from its purpose. This happens a lot. It can happen to us.

Two charismatic leaders have emerged, and people are flocking to hear both of them. The disciples of one of them start to grow a little frustrated.

When John the Baptist is asked about the popularity of Jesus, he tells his followers that his ministry is all about pointing other people to Jesus.

We’re supposed to read this statement not as a question about baptism but about authority.

John publicly testified Jesus was the Messiah. Despite hearing what John said, they missed the significance. John’s role was to bear witness about Jesus. Once he did that, it was natural for people to then follow Jesus based on John’s testimony.

This is one of the typical attacks of Satan that is especially effective. He convinces us to criticize others who are faithfully doing God’s work. We see the crowds going elsewhere, and we get jealous.

Ministry is about pointing other people to Jesus. If we miss that, we miss it all.

John the Baptist’s Perspective on Ministry

John 3:27

We can do nothing good or successful apart from the kindness of God. God brought every person who listened to John preach. God brought every person whom he baptized.

The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? (1 Cor 4:6-7)

His perspective was that God is in control. God brought these people to him, and if God takes them elsewhere, that’s God’s decision.

The good hand of God is the reason for any success in ministry. Big buildings, growing budgets, and increased attendance don’t measure the success of a ministry. The results are not ours, they’re God’s, and he has the authority to do with us what he desires.

Ministry is about pointing people to Jesus, not gathering people to us.

John the Baptist’s Pattern of Ministry John 3:28

The reason God so powerfully used John the Baptist was because John recognized his own, inherent nothingness compared to Jesus.

Martin Luther, the sixteenth-century reformer, once said, “God created the world out of nothing. When I realize that I am nothing, perhaps God can create something out of me too!”

John the Baptist’s Pleasure in Ministry John 3:29

John compares Jesus to a bridegroom and himself to the groom’s friend—the best man. His role was to prepare the wedding festivities and to make sure the wedding went smoothly.

What best man after fulfilling his responsibility is going to get angry because the groom showed up and married the bride?

His joy comes from watching the bride and groom come together.

Each Sunday worship service is a preview of that wedding, and the bride of Christ—the church—comes before the groom to renew and recite the engagement covenant that has been made.

We come to worship each week desperate to look upon the face of the groom, to see the one who loves us with an eternal love.

John the Baptist’s Purpose in Ministry John 3:30

Ministry drift happens when we stop thinking about Jesus and start worrying about ourselves. When we evaluate everything based on what we like and dislike, we’ve lost our purpose.

John the Baptist was a star, but when the Son came, the star faded.