JOH 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

>>The central theme we find in Joh 3:22-36 is found in the words of our text, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

>>The spiritual state of the church under Judaism at the time of Christ's ministry was well described by the prophet in ISA 60:2--3 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

>>This state of "gross darkness" which covered the Jews is so evident from how V:22-36 begins with, "After these things," i.e., after Jesus had just taught so clearly the need for the new birth which is to be born of the water of the Word, and of the Spirit;

>>This draws our attention to three pathetic statements before us for consideration;

FIRST, The Jews were still preoccupied with the externals of their own man made religion as they strove about Jewish purification---this was because they were strangers to the washing of regeneration by the Water of Life, or i.e., the washing of the water of the Word.

JOH 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

SECOND, The Jews attempted to gratify their envy against Christ for the multitude that came to Him by inciting the Jealousy of John the Baptist which prompted the words of our text, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

JOH 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

>>THIRD, The heart and conscience of these Jews was not cleansed by the washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit, because they remained under the condemnation of unbelief Jesus spoke of in V:18-20.

JOH 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

>>Their actions were such a positive indication of their unbelieving heart--their obvious jealousy of the success of Jesus' ministry is what prompted the words of our text, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

>>John rebuked their diabolic attempt to stir contention and jealousy in John the Baptist's heart saying, JOH 3:31-32 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

>>Holding V:22 in context with JOH 4:2 we learn an important lesson.

JOH 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

>>This teaches the principle that whatever is done by Christ's servants based upon the authority of His Word is done by Christ Himself.

2CO 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

>>The place where John was baptizing when these Jews strove to fill his heart with jealousy and contention is also very significant.

JOH 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

>>This word "Salim" means "can not be shaken, or stirred up, i.e., perfect peace."

>>This teaches a very important principle! The word "Aenon" signifies "place of springs,"

>>John was baptizing at Aenon, "because there was much water there." What do we read about the beginning of miracles?

JOH 2:6-7 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece [the Jews did not understand the washing of regeneration of the Spirit was by the Word of God].

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

>>John's ministry began in the "wilderness of Judaea," and "in the region round about Jordan," MAT 3:1-5, where he bore faithful witness of the Lord Jesus Christ which has now become a place of "springs," or refreshment, and "peace."

>>V:26 begins this portion of our study with, "After these things," i.e., after our Saviour's blessed teaching of our need to look unto Him

JOH 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

>>When the Jews came to John to work discontent and discord, John knew there was only one way to persuade them to believe, and that was to direct their eyes away from all their externals of religion unto Christ.

JOH 3:27-29 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven [See how John reasons of the logic of looking away from him unto Christ].

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

>>In a further effort to persuade them John attempts to direct their eyes to that Heavenly Bridegroom, and take their eyes off from his call.

JOH 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

>>The Jews, scribes, and Pharisees had no cloak for their ignorance.

1CO 8:2-2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

>>Even unto His own disciples our Saviour pointed out that the love which brings One into the bridechamber comes as a Divine gift from the Father, and not from any human wisdom.

MAT 16:13-17 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

>>Notice the same principle taught in the case of Lydia,

ACT 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto [or observed to do] the things which were spoken of Paul.

>>These principles which draw the hearts of Christ's bride unto Him in adoration do not justify fatalism by resting upon our inability.

JAM 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

>>The Apostle James goes on to identify the heart problem which is the cause for such a double standard.

JAM 4:4-8 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

>>Satan's gospel which teaches fatalism as the response to God's sovereignty, is so clearly refuted; placing all the responsibility on man in PRO 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

>>See how blessedly John deflated all the Jews' expectation of inciting a controversy between John and Jesus; he takes the lower place reminding them he was only a messenger sent to run before his Master.

JOH 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

>>In total contrast to the Jews' objective to incite jealousy in John's heart, John directs them to look by faith unto Jesus, that the beginning of miracles might take place in their hearts, i.e., that their hearts might become filled with joy.

JOH 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

>>Now John explains what the obvious effect is when our lives are fill with the joy and consolation there is in Christ.

JOH 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

>>Not only do we decrease as our hearts rejoice in the Heavenly Bridegroom, but our will becomes dissolved in His will.

2CO 3:17-18 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

>>See the immediate effect of becoming a recipient of the Spirit of Christ.

2CO 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

>>V:32 says, "And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony." Why was this?

>>The scribes and Pharisees learned to much in all their do's and don'ts which they had fabricated as their commandments of men to believe anything so simple.

1CO 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

>>The haughty, legalistic Pharisee in our heart by nature can not stoop far enough to come unto the foot of the cross as an empty handed beggar.

>>Jesus taught us the acceptable posture of heart in the perfect prayer,

MAT 6:10-12 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven [see the beggar's language in the next two verses].

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

>>Our chapter concludes with JOH 3:35-36 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand [see the authority the Father has given the Son for such unconditional obedience].

36 He that believeth on the Son [i.e., those who have learned to reverence that authority] hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

>>See the most positive identification our Saviour has given to distinguish between the true believers, and those who believe not.

JOH 3:17-21 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.