Anchor My Faith

On to the Land of Judea

Scripture: John 3:22-26

With this lesson we will begin the next section, which include the verses of John 3:22 – 36. This section begins with: “After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing” (John 3:22 ESV).

“After this” indicates an event from which time has elapsed. The event started with Nicodemus coming to Jesus to obtain some information, but before he could ask any questions, Jesus told him that he had to be born again if he was to enter heaven. Apparently Nicodemus did not remember or did not understand Old Testament scriptures that spoke of this and as a result could not comprehend what Jesus meant. Since God had not prepared his heart spiritually to understand, Jesus changed the conversation to why he was sent into the world. Jesus came not to judge the world but that the world might be saved through him. How much time elapsed before going into the Judean countryside is not known.

Upon arriving at the Judean countryside, Jesus and his disciples remained there and engaged in baptizing. Looking ahead to John 4:2, we learn that Jesus himself was not baptizing, but only his disciples. Apparently the Judean countryside was at Aenon near Salim because “John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized” (John 3:23 ESV). John used to be alone at the river baptizing, but now Jesus shows up with his disciples and they start baptizing.

Skipping down to verse 26 we read: “And [the disciples of John] came . . . and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him” (John 3:26 ESV). Possibly on one side of the river John was baptizing and on the other side the disciples of Jesus were baptizing. As expected, people began to notice that John was falling behind Jesus in the number of baptisms. We are no different today. Our pride wants us to be bigger and better than the church down the street or across town. John’s disciples seem to be a little upset, but that was exactly what was supposed to happen as John was simply the forerunner for Jesus.

Going back to John 3:24 (ESV), we find the comment: “(for John had not yet been put in prison).” John was still free, but his freedom was soon to end.

The next verse, which reads: “Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification” (John 3:25 ESV), which seems to be about ceremonial washing, will not be covered because no one really understands what this was all about. Anything I might say would be just speculation and I believe there are more important things to cover so we will move on.

Prayer

Father, some of these lessons are hard to draw a personal application because of their informative nature. But as I think about this lesson, I have to consider my own feelings. How do I feel about someone else receiving attention and not me? Lord, you know that pride is something we humans always struggle with. Father, continue to conform me into the image of Jesus so that I would continue to see greater evidence of humility and meekness in my life.