Christmas: Receiving Jesus’s Proving Testimony

 John 3:22-36

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 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!"

27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, I have been sent before Him.' 29 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. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

The exaltation of Jesus the Christ by John points us to the fact that receiving the testimony of Jesus the Christ proves good is true by believing His word and works.  John had been baptizing people for repentance as a promise of cleansing to come in the soul by the One he was sent to announce to the world.  John paved the way by making a straight path to faith in God’s word made flesh and His works to be seen as further proof demonstrating His divine power and (2 Peter 1:2-3) ability to offer life and godliness in His righteousness.  When Jesus began baptizing (John 4:2) and others brought the news to John, he was not threatened but was exceedingly glad that everyone had begun flocking to Him instead of John to find the complete baptism by the one he was sent to point everyone to follow in the first place.  He reminded those around him that he was not the Messiah but was sent before Him to clear the path in the sinful hearts of His people as he made them ready for the Christ by repentance which would then lead to faith in the Christ to be immersed in Him and His Spirit as planned God.  He was filled with joy as he heard the voice of the bridegroom and knew that his time to fade back in the picture of God’s salvation had come that the Lord’s increase could begin at this time at last!  He exalted Jesus as the Christ by testifying to His heavenly origin and sovereign position of power and authority over all.  He also testified that many would not listen and accept the testimony of this Christ who proved God and His word true.  Jesus spoke God’s words as Je was sent to do and His own did not receive Him (John 1:10-11) and those who did receive (John 1:12) would become children of God through this act of faith and trust in His testimony.  The Son of God was to be heard and exalted, believed and received as true for this to be made true in those with ears to hear.  The promise is that all who believe and receive have everlasting life with Him in His presence forevermore (Psalm 16:11)!  How, those who disbelieve and reject the Son remain under God’s wrath (Romans 1:18, John 3:18, 1 John 5:11-12) of retribution on their sin which they were born and continue in.  Receiving the testimony of Jesus Christ is proof of believing God’s own testimony of Himself and His atoning work of salvation.  This is why Jesus was born into this world which we celebrate at Christmas in remembrance of the hope of the grace in His good will towards men and women, that we might be immersed in Him by repentance through faith for a certain hope of eternal life with Him in the kingdom of God in heaven on earth to come!  Christmas is Receiving Jesus’s Proving Testimony that brings true peace and joy by faith through faith that believes and receives Him.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad!