Pam Padgett ... teacher
When John the Baptist's disciples saw people going to Jesus and His disciples to be baptized instead of to John, they told John about this ....
John
3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also
was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water
there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast
into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's
disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 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.
John's
answer taught about submitting to the will of God. John
sought things of God and submitted himself to the will of God, being
called by God to go before Jesus to prepare the way by turning people from their sins and to God ...
John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it
be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said,
I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Rather than being concerned that people were going to Jesus, John rejoiced in this and spoke of being as a friend of the bridegroom (Jesus) and rejoicing with Him ...
John 3:29 He 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.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John also gave the following witness concerning Jesus, that HE is the Son of God and that those who believe in Jesus have eternal life ...
John 3:31 He 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. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth;
and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his
testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath
sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by
measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all
things into his hand. 36 He 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.
The flesh tries to exalt itself. But John the Baptist exalted God by submitting to the will of God, turning people to God, and following what God had called him to do.