John’s Faithfulness: Pointing People to Jesus — February 7 [Description]Overview of the Passages:Luke 3:19-20: This passage highlights the boldness of John the Baptist. He publicly rebukes Herod the tetrarch for marrying his brother’s wife (Herodias) and for other sinful actions. As a result, Herod locks John up in prison. This scene underscores John’s integrity and courage to speak truth to power—even when it leads to personal suffering.John 3:22-36: This passage captures a moment of transition. John the Baptist’s disciples are concerned that Jesus is now gaining more followers. But John responds with humility and clarity—he affirms his role as the forerunner to the Messiah and emphasizes that Jesus is from above and has ultimate authority. He declares, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John celebrates Jesus’ rise rather than competes with it, pointing others to trust in Him.Together, these passages highlight themes of humility, bold truth-telling, purpose, and unwavering loyalty to God’s mission—powerful messages for people seeking identity, influence, and integrity.This passage highlights the humility and spiritual maturity of John the Baptist during a time when his popularity was fading and Jesus’ influence was rising. Though John had once held great power and could have stirred a revolt or claimed Messiahship, he remained faithful to his calling: to point people to Jesus, not to himself. When his disciples grew jealous of Jesus’ rising fame, John responded with joy, not resentment, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”The passage warns against the danger of exalting human leaders instead of God’s purpose. It praises selflessness, unity, and the ability to step aside when God appoints others to carry the work forward. True discipleship is shown to mean emptying oneself of pride, ambition, and rivalry so the Spirit can fill the soul and Christ can be uplifted. John’s example is given as the model for all messengers of God—to embrace obscurity for the sake of the gospel’s clarity. 365D 38

Bible discovery 365D 38

Luke 3:19-20 365D 38.1

19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his ^{[d]NU brother’s wife} brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 365D 38.2

20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison. 365D 38.3

John 3:22-36 365D 38.4

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 365D 38.5

23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 365D 38.6

24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 365D 38.7

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 365D 38.8

26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 365D 38.9

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 365D 38.10

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 365D 38.11

29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 365D 38.12

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 365D 38.13

31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 365D 38.14

32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 365D 38.15

33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 365D 38.16

34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 365D 38.17

35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 365D 38.18

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 365D 38.19

Spirit of Prophecy Reading 365D 38

The Desire of Ages pp.178-182: 365D 38.20

This chapter is based on John 3:22-36. 365D 38.21

For a time the Baptist’s influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world’s conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. 365D 38.22

Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds about him lessened. When Jesus came from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan, the people flocked to hear Him. The number of His disciples increased daily. Many came for baptism, and while Christ Himself did not baptize, He sanctioned the administration of the ordinance by His disciples. Thus He set His seal upon the mission of His forerunner. But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus. They stood ready to criticize His work, and it was not long before they found occasion. A question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin; they maintained that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John. Soon they were in dispute with Christ’s disciples in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. 365D 38.23

The same dangers still exist. God calls a man to do a certain work; and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it, the Lord brings in others, to carry it still farther. But, like John’s disciples, many feel that the success of the work depends on the first laborer. Attention is fixed upon the human instead of the divine, jealousy comes in, and the work of God is marred. The one thus unduly honored is tempted to cherish self-confidence. He does not realize his dependence on God. The people are taught to rely on man for guidance, and thus they fall into error, and are led away from God. 365D 38.24

The work of God is not to bear the image and superscription of man. From time to time the Lord will bring in different agencies, through whom His purpose can best be accomplished. Happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 365D 38.25