He That Comes From Above Is Above All - Part 1227

Referring to Jesus, John the baptist states: "He must increase, but I must decrease. He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: He that comes from heaven is above all. And what he has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no man receives His testimony. He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For He whom God hath sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loves the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:30-35)

Herein, there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. Remember, John was the witness who came to bear witness of the Light that was to come, so that all through that light -- Jesus -- might believe. The scriptures clearly state that "John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light, who was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world." (John 1:8-9)

Note too that John's baptism in the water was unto repentance, wherein one could be cleansed (or purified on the outside according to custom) from their sin. In Matthew 3:11, John said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance."

“Confessing their sins, they were baptized by [John] in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6)

This same purpose is confirmed again later in Acts when Apostle Paul asked, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism." Then said Paul, "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, which is, on Christ Jesus ..." (Acts 19:3-4)

But I digress somewhat. In reading about John, there appeared always to be those sent to question him, who were sent of the Pharisees. Some who chose to stay on the bank, never going into the water, including the Sadducee's and Pharisees to whom John said, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance, and think not to say within yourselves, "We have Abraham to [our] father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire." (Matthew 3:5-10)

There were also those who came questioning John's motivations, asking, "Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?" But throughout John always pointed to Jesus, confirming that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase.

This is why John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water but there stands One among you whom ye know not. He it is who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." (John 1:26-27)

In other words, "Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29-36)

But as we see as well, not everyone believed Jesus to be the great I AM. So, in asking the question, these again came unto John and said unto him, "Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizes 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 stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled." (John 3:25-29)

John knew in whom he believed. He knew that Jesus was mightier than him, "whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire." (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3-4)

And John also recognized that he must decrease, so that Jesus could increase.

In this blog, I have said repeatedly that our salvation depends on what we do with Jesus. How we respond to His love that included the shedding of His precious blood on the cross. You see, the Pharisees and Sadducee's were only willing to stand on the bank of the river. They were not willing to get wet, even when the act of getting into the water would purify/cleanse them according to the custom of that day.

Sadly, is this not what we are seeing in the modern day religious community today? We are not willing to confess in our hearts that He that came from heaven above is indeed above all. Or, that in Him -- Jesus the Christ -- is life abundant. (John 10:10) How many will do anything but repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that they too could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? (Acts 2:37-38)

Why is this? Because far too many of us have put on the religious garment of this day rather than becoming fully clothed in this same Jesus who "is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) Jesus said -- "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18) Let me say that again -- "ALL power" is given unto Jesus.

Similarly, as John the baptist confirmed, HE THAT COMES FROM ABOVE IS ABOVE ALL. Indeed, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the One and Only God our Saviour. The same God who created us in the beginning and loved us enough to willingly take on a sin-prone flesh (even though He Himself did not sin) so that we could have salvation and eternal life. The greatest love story ever told to mankind.

That is, "God manifest in the flesh." (I Timothy 3:16)

We need to behold this same Lamb of God in our hearts, and be water baptized/buried into His precious name -- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:37-38)

The only name given under heaven (in this current dispensation of grace) whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

This is why "whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and every one that loves Him that begat loves Him also that is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. for this is the love of God that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous, for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is He that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and the blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost and THESE THREE ARE ONE." (I John 5:1-7)

This is the record that John the baptist repeatedly pointed us to. This is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. "He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life ... these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God, and this is the confidence that we have in Him -- if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us." (I John 5:8-21)

While the whole world lies in wickedness against us, we can be assured that as believers in Jesus by faith, we can know that "the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, [even] in His Son Jesus Christ -- This is the true God and eternal life." (I John 5:19-21)

Behold t he Lamb of God -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Press into the Lord Jesus today. Be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His precious Holy Ghost that will lead and guide you into all wisdom and truth. Stand in the offering plate.