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Devotions from Gospel Chapel Ministries HOME SERMONS SERMON NOTES
MISCONCEPTIONS AND QUESTIONS
"He must increase, but I must decrease." (JOH 3:30)
Jesus had just taught so earnestly the need of the new birth, and now "After these things" this draws our attention to three misconceptions about religion held by the Jews.
First, the Jews were still preoccupied and puffed up with the externals of their own man-made, ritualistic religion. They still did not understand the simplicity of the gospel. They strove, with John’s disciples, about Jewish purification.
"Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying." (JOH 3:25) This purification is described in MAR 7:3-4, "For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables."
This is what they called purification. They still did not understand the washing of the water of the Word and washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit. "After these things," after Jesus had so clearly taught these things, they were still striving with John’s disciples about the purifying of the Jews.
Second, the Jews attempted to gratify their envy of Christ (over the multitude that came to Him) by inciting the jealousy of John the Baptist, which prompted him to say, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (JOH 3:30) In order to accomplish their goal to defeat the Lord Jesus Christ, they tried to cause contention between John and Jesus.
JOH 3:26 says, "And 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." Thus they tried to promote jealousy. They tried to get John to come against Jesus.
Third, the heart and conscience of these Jews was not cleansed by the washing of regeneration of the Holy Spirit because they remained under the condemnation of unbelief. Their hearts were still filled with evil thoughts; therefore, they would not come to the light of the Word. JOH 3:32 says, "And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony." What the Lord Jesus Christ has heard and seen from the Father of life, He testifies to, "and no man receiveth his testimony." They remained under the condemnation of unbelief. They refused to hear.
Their actions were such a positive indication of their unbelieving heart. Many people will ask, "Do I have grace? Do I have salvation? Have I been converted?" If you have any sight at all, you can tell whether it’s day or night. If you can tell whether it’s pitch dark or the bright sun is shining in the heavens – if you can distinguish between those two – you should be able to distinguish between life and death. Jesus explained it so beautifully. Do you come to the light? Do you come to the Word to see if your heart has any uncleanness that needs to be washed out? Is it your desire to come to the light or is the light your condemnation? Do you flee from the light because it reproves you for your evil deeds and your love of those evil deeds?
Their actions indicate the unbelief in the heart of the Jews. The Lord Jesus says that you know them by their fruits. I don’t have to tell you whether or not I love the Lord. I don’t have to make a big profession and say that I believe, that I have accepted Jesus. My attitudes and actions speak much louder than all my professions put together. What is the nature of my conversation? What does my heart dwell upon? What are my actions? The actions of the Jews spoke so loudly that you didn’t have to ask them whether or not they believed.
Amen.
Our sermons and devotions are a ministry of Gospel Chapel located in Conrad, Montana. We also have a daily devotion and sermon notes on-line. We pray this devotion has been a blessing to those who read it. Thank you.