GOSPEL: John 3:22-36

Reading: 

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon 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.

Commentary: 

The disciples of John noticed Christ was now publicly preaching God's Word, and like John, Christ was also baptizing (through His disciples). This baptism would be the same as John, namely that of repentance and remission of sins. His disciples thus baptized in Christ's name. "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." Christ was merely doing as God the Father called Him to do. He had received from His Father in heaven the high calling or office of Savior. The difference between John's calling and Christ's, was John's call came from heaven, and Christ came down from heaven Himself. John was a friend of the Bridegroom, and his joy was full to hear and know the voice of Christ. "He must increase, but I must decrease." This too is our high calling in life, namely throughout we confess that we are chief of sinners, and we seek only to increase Christ in this world. "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."