But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. (Matthew 23:8-10)
Rabbi means a Jewish scholar or teacher, one who studies and teaches Jewish law. Rabbis were very important to the Jews because the people couldn't go to a bookstore and buy a copy of the Hebrew Bible, what we now call the Old Testament (see From A-Z, Genesis to Revelations). These teachers, along with the Pharisees and scribes, had access to the original transcripts. The scribes created copies to be distributed to Jewish synagogues throughout the world at that time. The Rabbis taught the Word to the people, and the Pharisees enforced the laws and commandments of God. Now Jesus, the Son of God, The Rabbi from God is there teaching the people the "spiritual" meaning of the Word of God, and conflicts are arising. After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison. Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 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!” (John 3:22-26)
Often times we hear someone say something, but we don't really "listen" to what they are saying. Before Christ came, John prepared the people by telling them, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16, see THE GOSPEL: John & John Teach The Truth) Now John explains it even more clearly, and hopefully they are really listening this time: John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 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. (John 3:27-29)
Bridegroom, bride? What is John talking about? David testifies in one of the Psalms, The heavens declare the glory of God; In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:1, 4-5, 7-9) John is letting his disciples and the Jew know that he was The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; (Isaiah 40:3) Throughout scripture, God promised His people that He was sending the Messiah, the bridegroom for His bride, the church, or in other word all people of the world who believe. The Jews are in captivity, under Roman government, but God promised that one day the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: “Praise the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His mercy endures forever”— and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the Lord. (Jeremiah 33:11)
Well, the Lord God is there now, so John goes on to explain to them He must increase, but I must decrease. 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. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 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.” (John 3:30-36) And that's the gospel summarized perfectly! If we hear, read, study and believe the Word of God, we also prove that we believe in God. If we believe in God, it's because we believe what His Son, Christ Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh has said about Him. Because of that, God fills us with the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
It's good to go to church and Bible study and listen to teachers who Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15, see Why Go To Church) But we are never put any person or ministry ahead of God in our lives, for God ...put all things under His [Christ] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23) Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria. (John 4:1-4; Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:14) Needed to go to Samaria? Why?...
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