John 3:22-36 Jesus the bridegroom and John the baptizer

John 3:22-36 Jesus begins baptizing people, although actually it is His disciples who do the baptism. (John 4:2) And then there is a dispute between Jesus' disciples and John's disciples. Verses 22-23 do not give a precise location in Judea where Jesus' disciples were baptizing. But Aenon near Salem is at the eastern edge of Samaria near the Jordan River north of the Sea of Galilee, some distance from Judea. And there is the parenthetical comment that John had not yet been put in prison. It is not clear how Jesus' disciples and John's disciples came into contact. In any event, John's disciples were concerned that Jesus was baptizing and apparently far more were coming to Him than to John for baptism. John's response to his disciples is a very humble statement about his recognition of his place in God's kingdom and who Jesus really was. Apparently his disciples still didn't get it. John makes several statements regarding Jesus:

•    The only gifts that matter are given by heaven

•    He had previously told them that He was not the Messiah, but was the messenger sent before Him.

•    The bridegroom metaphor - that the Messiah is the groom who ultimately has the bride; he is the friend of the groom (perhaps the best man?) who rejoices because he hears the Groom's voice.

•    His ministry is on the wane as the Messiah's ministry grows

•    Jesus came from heaven and is over all that is of the earth. The spiritual transcends the physical.

•    John testifies again that Jesus is speaking the words of God - that He is the very Word of God.

•    The Son of God is loved by God and has been given authority over all things, and is the one who gives eternal life.

•    Whoever disobeys the Son of God faces God's eternal wrath.

The bridegroom metaphor perhaps alludes to the wedding that the disciples had just attended. But the bottom line is that in humility John acknowledges that Jesus has the authority of the sovereign God and he is just a messenger. Now that God's kingdom has begun to be established on earth, the ministry of preparation is winding down. Not over yet, but that is where it is headed.