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In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ

In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ. The Parallel Ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist December 14, 2008. www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info. Jesus’ Early Years. Jesus’ Baptism. Jesus’ Early Ministry. Jesus and John. John 3:22-24

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In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ

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  1. In The Footsteps Of The Master:The Life and Times of Jesus Christ The Parallel Ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist December 14, 2008 www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  2. Jesus’ Early Years www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  3. Jesus’ Baptism www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  4. Jesus’ Early Ministry www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  5. Jesus and John • John 3:22-24 • “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized — for John had not yet been thrown into prison.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  6. Aenon and Salim www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  7. Working Together • Note that even though Jesus’ ministry had officially begun, John did not stop his own efforts • This is a period where both are teaching and baptizing • John still had work to do, teaching about Jesus, preparing the way and pointing people toward Him www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  8. A Dispute • John 3:25-26 • “Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.’ • Why would a discussion about purification lead to a concern about Jesus? www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  9. Dispute About Purification • We’ve speculated in past lessons that John the Baptist was at one time part of the Essene sect, due to his ascetic lifestyle and water baptism • If he had separated himself from that sect – which is assumed – a dispute between his disciples and one of its members would not be difficult to imagine • The discussion leads John’s disciples to share their concern that people are going to Jesus and being baptized, rather than John www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  10. John’s Disciples • Why would they have such a concern? • Makes their Master look bad? • Their crowd is thinning out? • They misunderstand the purpose of John’s work • They think John’s ministry is the purpose • They think that John is the “Rabbi” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  11. John’s Answer • John 3:27-30 • John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent ahead of Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  12. John’s Answer • How could John so freely yield his ministry to that of Jesus? • John understood his purpose • “I have been sent ahead of Him.” • “He is the Christ. I am not.” • “He is the Bridegroom. I am the friend.” • “He must increase. I must decrease.” • “My joy has been made full.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  13. He Who Comes From Above • John 3:31-36 • “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  14. John or John? • Some uncertainty as to whether these verses are a continuation of John the Baptist’s discourse, or they are a narrative by John the Apostle • 1st Century writers didn’t use things like quotation marks or other punctuation • Reads somewhat better as commentary from the author • “No one receives His testimony” • The Baptist’s disciples have just expressed concern over people going to Jesus www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  15. Jesus is Above All • Some see a contrast here between Jesus and John the Baptist • “He who comes from above” • “He who is from the earth” • Speaks to the preeminence of Jesus • “He who comes from heaven is above all” • Those who receive Jesus’ testimony testify to the fact that God is true, for Jesus speaks the words of God www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  16. Life vs. Wrath • Those who believe will have eternal life • Those who don’t believe will see God’s wrath • Not because we serve an angry and unloving God • But because we serve a just and righteous God • His very nature makes it impossible for Him to coexist with evil • We wouldn’t want any other kind of God www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  17. What Does This MeanFor Me?

  18. My Joy Made Full … • John’s joy was made full at the sight of people going to Jesus • He knew that his job was to lead them there and then fade away • Do we view our mission in the same way? • Do we find joy in being God’s instrument to lead others to Jesus? • Are we willing for that not to be about us, as John was? www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  19. He Must Increase … • Remember the old song “None of Self and All of Thee”? • It tells the story of one person’s transition from “all of self and none of Thee” to “none of self and all of Thee” • “He must increase, but I must decrease” • For us to grow spiritually, Jesus must increase inside of us, while our own will decreases www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  20. He … Is Above All • John writes: “He who comes from heaven is above all.” • Jesus is preeminent • Above all things • Above all Creation • He is Master • He is Lord • He is Savior • He is Emmanuel – “God with us” www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  21. Veni, Veni Emmanuel • Veni, veni EmmanuelCaptivum solve IsraelQui gemit in exilioPrivates Dei FilioGaude! Gaude! EmmanuelNascetur pro te Israel • O come, O come, EmmanuelTo free your captive IsraelThat mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appearRejoice! Rejoice! O IsraelTo you shall come Emmanuel www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

  22. Next Week • We start a series on Inclusion vs. Exclusivity Questions? www.FootstepsOfTheMaster.info

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