MUSINGS ON THE BOOK OF JOHN

BY CONNIE HECKER

Jesus First

John 3:22-26, NIV

"After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

Some time has passed. We learn that cousin John the Baptist has continued baptizing, and at the same time, Jesus is now also baptizing. So, what is the purpose of these two baptisms? John’s disciples see it as a competition. The scripture question says the issue is purification. Baptism represents an act of purification. John answers his disciples, explaining that the purification of baptism is nothing unless it comes from heaven. I hear that the ritual only has power as God Himself gives it to a man. They have come to John seeking The Messiah. John is a great preacher and witness but not the One. He is more like the best man to Jesus, the bridegroom. John wants the focus to turn to Jesus.

> Am I following this same way?

> When I have the privilege of being a witness of and for Christ, am I willing to step out of the spotlight and allow God to work in that person’s heart?

> Or am I craving the attention for myself?

Oh, horror of horror! Step out of the way and allow God to have center stage! I can stand behind or to the side or even drop to my knees in prayer. But Lord, please eliminate the imperfect in me and keep me from standing in another’s line of sight and blocking their view of You! Let my life be so transparent that others can see through me to you. Let me be as a scrim on the stage which, when lit by You, reveals Your Holy Spirit and captures their attention. Father, even further, please raise the scrim of me from the stage of my life and reveal yourself clearly, and draw your people to You.

The Wilderness

John 3:27-36, NIV

"To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him’. 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. He must become greater; I must become less.” n Have I gone out to seek Jesus? n Do I understand that He is available to me in the wilderness of my emotions? n Or am I craving the attention for myself? n Jesus speaks truth with authority. Am I listening? n Am I in that wilderness? n What is my wilderness that I need to listen for Him in?"

"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful."

"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."

John very quickly summarizes what happened at the start, the kickoff, of Jesus’ ministry. It was very powerful, so much so that those seekers who had come to hear from John were now identifying themselves with Jesus, and John the Baptist said it was a good thing. Needs were being met, and God was showing His people they were not forgotten. Jesus spent some time out in the country. We are not told the details of how He spent His days, be we do see the effect: all were coming to Him.

All.

All.

All.

Jesus spent time out in the countryside, and all were coming to Him.

> Have I gone out to seek Jesus?

> Do I understand that He is available to me in the wilderness of my emotions?

> Or am I craving the attention for myself?

He is there for me to come to Him. He wants to spend time with me. Even in the wilderness, Jesus talks about heaven, for He wants me there with Him.

> Jesus speaks truth with authority. Am I listening?

> Am I in that wilderness?

> What is my wilderness that I need to listen for Him in?

Listen for and to Him. Seek Him out. Jesus has truth we need to hear. The Spirit of God is in Jesus without limit.

All who believe in Jesus have life eternally.

All.

All.

Connie Hecker, MFA, is a Scenic Designer currently teaching at Liberty University. She is mom, stepmom, and grandmother to 13. Her “first career” was in interior and industrial design. Her “second” was as Manager of Operations and Maneuvers (note initials) in her extended family. Her ‘third’ is as a professor and she looks forward to what God has in store as her “fourth” someday.