After Jesus was finished talking to Nicodemus, they left Jerusalem but stayed in Judea and baptized there for a while. John the Baptist was still baptizing when one of John's disciples came up to him and said Jesus was still baptizing across the river. John informed him God has appointed us each to our own work, and that he was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. The bridegroom's friend goes where the bridegroom goes. He is Jesus' friend and rejoices at His success. As Jesus becomes greater and greater John must become less and less. John's understanding is limited to the things of the earth but, Jesus is greater than anyone because he has come from heaven. Although He has come from heaven very few people believe Him.
This is another one of those times I wish we knew more about Jesus' early childhood. I found some interesting stuff researching this. All I'm doing is flipping between books in the Bible. I'm not using any other references. We always think of the wise men going to the manger where Jesus was born. The book of Matthew says they went to the house where He was. We know after the wise men left Jesus, an angel told Mary and Joseph to flee to Egypt. The book of Luke says Jesus was circumcised and dedicated in Jerusalem at eight days old. So when did they have to leave? The book of Matthew says they came back to Nazareth after King Herod died. The book of Luke says Jesus' parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. So did they travel back and forth every year? If so, how long did they do this before they were able to move back? They were there for the Passover when Jesus was twelve, that's when they forgot Him. The main question I had that caused me to look all this stuff up was; as cousins, did Jesus and John The Baptist grow up together? Did they play together? If Jesus was at the temple every year, you would think John would have been there too. Did John grow up knowing that the Messiah was his cousin? When did John take off to live in the wilderness?
The answer to any of these questions wouldn't have had any effect on John's loyalty to Jesus. Whether he knew he was related or not, they were obviously friends it says that. Ego being part of human nature he could have gotten upset that Jesus was becoming popular but, he knew God had sent him prepare the way for the Messiah, and he was being obedient. I think that is why his disciple was upset because he felt bad for John. John's love and loyalty to God and his friend and cousin was stronger than his ego. We can all learn a lot from John's actions. In our day it's all about becoming successful at any cost, no matter who you have to step on to get there. Loyalty doesn't mean much to those who are trying to move up the ladder. As we continue on our search, let's remember friendship and loyalty. Once again that boils down to Jesus' teaching –Love One Another- Thanks for searching with me, Paul
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