John gets into trouble

John 3:22-36; Luke 3:19-20 (New Living Translation)

22Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

23At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.24(This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

27John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

31“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

19John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.20So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

When has knowing Christ ever gotten you into trouble ?

John, the author of this gospel, has been demonstrating that Jesus is the true son of God. Jesus sets before us the greatest choice in life. We are responsible to decide today whom we will obey (Josh. 24:15), and God wants us to choose him and life (Deut. 30:15-20). The wrath of God is God's final judgement and rejection of the sinner. To put off the choice is to choose not to follow Christ, indecision is a fatal decision.