Jesus left the city, Jerusalem, and went to the country places where there may have been villages, but where the people could come to Him out-of-doors. It may have been near the Jordan River or a smaller river which flows into it, as there was water for the disciples to baptize the people. It is said that Jesus did not Himself baptize, but His disciples (John 4:2).
The word “baptize” means to overwhelm, and taught the people that they deserved death because of sins. But it also taught of Jesus’ death for them and of His resurrection, as they would later know.
The prophet John was at a place nearby called Enon, where there was much water, and he baptized those who came to him. The location of these places is not known now, but shows us that both the Lord Jesus and John, His messenger, were in all parts of the land, and all could have heard them. This seems to have been just before John was unjustly put in prison.
John’s Good Attitude
So many people went to Jesus, that some men seemed to think that John would be grieved, and came to tell him. But John answered them as he had before, that he was not the Great One to come, that he was only sent before Him to tell of Him.
John spoke of himself as that “friend” of Christ, the “bridegroom.” John had done all he had been told; and his joy was fulfilled to hear His voice. People who believe Christ are spoken of in the Bible as “the bride.”
John again spoke of Jesus as “He that cometh from above,” and “is above all.” He said whoever believed “set to his seal that God is true.”
The Seal
Kings and others used to have a name or a certain design on a ring or piece of metal, which could be placed upon wax or other substance, sealing an important writing, to show they gave authority or approval to the contents. Legal papers now have a stamp or seal put on them, and seals are often spoken of in the Bible (Esther 3:12; 8:8).
God has sent out the most important of all messages, saying He has sent His Son to the world to take the judgment for sin, and that all have sinned. He offers to free each person who believes His Son. Each one may “set seal” to that, showing his agreement.
How can this be done? It cannot mean each puts a mark on the paper of his Bible. No, these are the words, “He that hath received His (Christ’s) testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”
The testimony of Christ was that God had sent Him and the reason He came. To believe His testimony, we believe Him (God’s Son), and that we are sinners He came to save. So when in your heart you believe the Lord Jesus, that He took your place to suffer for you, you are really saying, “All God’s words are true,” and that is like a seal, and shows you agree.
Further Meditation:
1. How were seals used many years ago?
2. Some people say that receiving the testimony and setting “his seal that God is true” is the Bible’s definition of faith. Why would that be true?
3. An excellent, clear and short introduction to the subject of faith can be found in the pamphlet Faith by H. P. Barker.