Jesus is Greater
AM Psalm 95* for the invitatory & 40, 54 • PM Psalm 51
Deut. 10:12-22 • Heb. 4:11-16 • John 3:22-36
This passage comes directly after John’s account of Jesus’ meeting with the Pharisee named Nicodemus. Nic believed that Jesus was, in his words, “a teacher sent from God”. Jesus regales Nicodemus with proclamations about spiritual rebirth, metaphors about wind, and references to Moses – all of which go right over Nicodemus’ head, even though it would seem that he’s trying his best to understand. I like Nicodemus; he has a cool name, and asks a lot of good questions.
After this encounter, the gospel says, Jesus went to Judea with his fans and started baptizing people. John the Baptist was also in the area performing baptisms, and some of John the Baptist’s fans were a little annoyed by the sight of Jesus infringing on their “thing”. They argue, the gospel says, with an unnamed Jewish man about religious washing before reporting to John what Jesus was doing. One can almost imagine them extending a pointed finger across the river at Jesus, and saying to John, “This guy’s taking all of our followers! What are we going to do? Competitive baptisms? A baptism turf war?”
At this, John is the voice of peace. He says to his followers what I presume he has been thinking and feeling since Chapter 1. He tells them that the spotlight should be on Jesus, because Jesus is sent from Heaven itself, and John is merely an earthly man. John the Baptist has been waiting his whole career for Jesus to show up, and he’s ready to get off the stage.
John gives us an example of humility, reverence, and self awareness. By following John’s example, we can be ok with letting someone be better than us at something. Sure, John might have had some special technique for holding someone underwater until they have had a spiritual experience, but John also recognizes that his abilities stop at the performance of a ritual. Jesus, on the other hand, can truly cleanse you and I spiritually. Unlike John the man, Jesus Christ, being God and human, can make you and I an entirely new creation.