John 3:22-3622After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24For John was not yet cast into prison. 25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26And 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. 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29He 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. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He 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. 32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36He 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. (John 3:22‑36)
Jesus left the city, Jeruselem, 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 in, as there was water for the disciples to baptize the people. It is said that Jesus did not Himself baptize, but His disciples (John 4:22(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (John 4:2)).
The word “baptize” means to overwhelm and taught the people that they deserved death because of sins, But also taught of Jesus’ death for them and of His resurrection, as they would later know.
The prophet John was at a place near, 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 show 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.
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 Him “set to his seal that God is true.”
Kings and others used to have their name or a certain design on a ring or piece of metal, which could he press, upon wax or other substance, sealing; important writing, to show they gavr authority or approval to the contents Legal papers now have a stamp or seal put on them, and seals are much spoken of in the Bible (Esther 3:12; 8:812Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. (Esther 3:12)
8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. (Esther 8:8)).
God has sent out the most important of all messages, saying He has sent His Son to the world to take the judgement for sin; and that all have sinned. He offers to free each person who believes His Son. Each one may “set his 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 bath received His (Christ’s testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true.”
The testimony of Christ was that had sent Him and why He came believe His testimony, we believe (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.
ML 07/07/1946