John 3:22-36
In this passage the author relates the completion of the hand-off of ministry from John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist represents the culmination of the Old Testament or pre-Christ period. Jesus identified him as a prophet and more than a prophet but of himself John the Baptist said he was just a voice in the wilderness. In the passage John the Baptist echoes the words of Christ to Nicodemus and shows that his purpose and ministry are directed toward and completed in the work of Jesus.
There are many direct parallels between the two sections. Compare verse 11 to verse 32. John the Baptist shows knowledge of Jesus’ heavenly origin and knowledge of people’s reluctance to accept Jesus’ testimony as eyewitness. Compare verses 16-18 to verse 36. Both speak of the necessity of belief for entering into everlasting life and the condemnation of unbelief.
In speaking with Nicodemus Jesus used some analogies and John the Baptist does the same using the analogy of a wedding party. In the analogy John the Baptist is like the best man in the wedding. He helps and supports and points away from himself and towards the bridegroom. Jesus is the bridegroom who has worked and planned and prepared, not just for a single day but for “as long they both shall live” which in the Kingdom of God is forever. Revelation 19:11-16. The Bride of Christ is the Church. Revelation 21:9. Song of Solomon 2:4. Luke 22:14-16.
John the Baptist gave us the example of pointing away from ourselves and towards Jesus. As he said Jesus must increase and I must decrease. It is not all at once that I become nothing and Jesus everything. It is a process of letting go day by day. The thief on the cross called out to Jesus at the last minute and was saved but better to be like Paul who could say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
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