John 3: 17 - 36

 (John 3: 17 - 36)

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.  And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.  For John was not yet cast into prison.  Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.  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.  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  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. He must increase, but I must decrease.  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.  And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.  He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

3: 16『For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved..』 He who believes in him is the faith that he who is born from heaven believes. No one can conclude that they have faith from heaven just because they believe in Jesus. This is because those who receive faith from heaven are reborn with water and the Holy Spirit. This is because the old man dies from water and is reborn as a spirit body from heaven. Being born again from above is a gift and blessing from God. Regeneration is God's wisdom and God's mystery.

Before John the Baptist was arrested by King Herod, his ministry was ongoing. It wasn't complete yet. But there was a problem. They went to John and said, 『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. 』Those who were baptized by John the Baptist, listened to his message, and followed him are now starting to flock to Jesus. Many of John's disciples were embarrassed when this occurred.

John was the best spiritual leader of his time. His message became a great resonant of Jewish society, and people deeply engraved the message of. Thousands of people have decided to live a new life after being baptized. However, those who were looking for him were moving to Jesus. John's disciples immediately informed the Master of this. What should I do? But John gives a completely unexpected answer.

『 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  』

John, the son of the priest, was able to live in peace and respect as much as possible, but he abandoned the road and went to the wilderness. And even in the wilderness, he drew people's respect and popular popularity. However, his purpose was not the respect of the people in front of him or the popularity of the public. John did not fall into his own righteousness of respect or popularity of the people.

He did not act as a Messiah, but a guide to pave the way for Him to come as the Messiah. 『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. He must increase, but I must decrease. 』 John confesses that he is completely happy for Christ, who is the true protagonist, even if he is not the protagonist, even if he is declining. Because John's purpose was only Jesus Christ, not his own prosperity.

 

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