KING JESUS: A JOURNEY THROUGH MATTHEW'S GOSPEL (PT 17)

John the Baptist’s primary role in life and death was to point people to Jesus. He knew his place in the world.  He had a humble (and strong) spirit about him.  He was not a self-promoter; he was a kingdom of Jesus promoter.  He had no agenda of his own.  His desire and message were for the things of God.  He was more concerned with people being right with God through the message of baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  His purpose was to show people a new way of life in the Kingdom of God through the Messiah (Jesus Christ). There were times people thought he was the coming Messiah, but he quickly corrected them and told them there was another, who was the Messiah, and John was unworthy to untie the straps of the sandals of this Messiah. He was a righteous and persecuted man who was arrested for speaking the truth, and ultimately, he was murdered for his truthfulness. His death was gruesome, and his life and ministry always pointed to expansion and a growing Kingdom that was at hand.
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Matthew 14:1 – 12
 
This passage is a flashback, as John was probably executed several months before the events of Matthew 14. Before this account, John had been imprisoned for about a year and a half. Herod had heard reports about Jesus’ activities, and Matthew’s narrative about the execution is likely a historical flashback and it is here that the events of John’s death were recalled.
 
On Herod’s birthday, a grand celebration was held in his honor at the palace, where John was imprisoned. Herod had John imprisoned because John had called Herod out on his scandal of marriage to his brother’s wife. John was vocal about disapproving of the new marriage as it violated OT law. It was not just the fact of divorce, but that the specific provisions of the Levitical law were being violated. This marriage was considered a form of incest within the family. This evening, his wife, Herodias’ daughter (named Salome, according to Josephus), is commanded by her mother to dance for Herod. The girl is believed to have been only twelve to fourteen years old, but in this degraded, deceptive setting, she was being forced by her mother to perform this dance and ask for John’s head.  Commentators usually assume that we are being invited to think of seductive dancing before half-drunk men. But this is to jump to conclusions: drunkenness may be the reason for Herod’s recklessness, but dancing need not be erotic or sensual to bring pleasure and to stir appreciation.  Regardless, she “pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.”
 
Herodias steps in immediately to orchestrate eliminating another threat to her husband’s rule. She urges her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter because she wants to be rid of the one who condemned their immoral union. Beheading was a somewhat common practice among merciless leaders.
 
This was not what Herod expected because Herod knew that John was a prophet and was popular among the people. According to Mark’s account, Herod respected and protected John, and he really did not want to execute him. But he also did not want to lose face in front of his guests,“So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
 
This was a tragic end to the life of one who dedicated his life to promoting Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  Thankfully, he is not remembered solely for being the man who was beheaded for his convictions and loyalty to God.  But his legacy is about elevating Jesus and the Kingdom of God. This brings us to the second text I would like to look at this morning.
 
John 3:22 - 30
He Must Increase…
This was the primary message of John the Baptist.
 
Verse 22 - 24:  Jesus and his disciples went to the countryside in Judea and were baptizing people.  We see that it wasn’t Jesus but his disciples who were baptizing (John 4:2), which caused concern among the disciples of John the Baptist (vs. 26).
 
Verse 25, 26: There was some discussion between John the Baptist’s disciples and some Jews over the rite of purification.  We are not told the precise details of this conversation, but it was most likely over the significance of baptism and possibly how it was administered.  There was talk about the distinction between John’s baptism and ceremonial cleansing.  The essential factor in John’s baptism was the prior requirement of repentance.  We are also not told what the Jews' motivation was in talking to John’s disciples.  It could have easily been to stir up jealousy and division between John’s disciples concerning Jesus’ baptizing ministry. The Jews could have been saying to John the Baptists disciples, “What are you guys going to do about this Jesus guy and his disciples infringing on your ministry?  Isn’t baptizing your business?  Isn’t this what John and his followers are called to do?  They have no right to baptize people.  There isn’t enough business for the two of you in this area.”  This concerned John’s disciples because they went to their teacher and voiced their concerns.  They said, “Teacher, everyone is going to Jesus to be baptized, and fewer are coming to us!”  They were concerned because they thought they were supposed to be the authoritarians of baptism, and here comes this other band of disciples doing their job.
 
Verse 27, 28:  John’s response was not what his disciples were expecting.  He responds, “You guys know I am not the Messiah.  You have heard me say my job is to prepare the way for the Messiah, which is what I have done.”  He was not upset because he knew his place in this part of history.  John’s role in the Gospel account was small but VERY significant.  His job was to be a promoter of Jesus (The voice crying out in the Wilderness) and not of himself and his ministry.  It wasn’t up to him to convince people to be baptized by him and his disciples; he was on the scene to point people to the Messiah.  This would not be a very good marketing strategy by today’s standards.  Here’s John’s church growth marketing plan: “Don’t come to me because I am just a voice crying out in the wilderness.  Go to Jesus; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  He wasn’t all about “LOOK AT ME!”  John was all about “DON’T look at me, look to Jesus!”  
 
Verses 29 - 30:  John shows that he is NOT upset or threatened, but he is ecstatic about what is happening.  He compares himself to the best man in a wedding.  As a best man, you know the wedding has nothing to do with you.  You are there to assist, rejoice, and celebrate with the groom and his upcoming marriage.  I am sure many men may have been the best man from hell when they tried to make it about them, but this is not the case with John.
 
John says Jesus is the bridegroom, and the bride (in the O.T. was Israel) is the Church.  John the Baptist is the “friend of the bridegroom” or best man.  His job is to stand with Jesus and rejoice with him because the time has come for the marriage ceremony.  So, John not only says he is joyful but that his joy is COMPLETE (he can die a happy man).  
 
The following is how John modeled his life, and we should as well… “He must increase, and I must decrease.”  John was not merely making a general statement he was stating what MUST take place.  According to R.C. Sproul, “He (John) was called to go before Christ, and once he had announced Christ, then John was to go into the background that Christ might emerge in the fullness of His leadership as the appointed Messiah.  ‘It is necessary,’ John said.  ‘It’s not optional.  This has to happen.  It has to take place.  I have to decrease.  He must increase.’”  The Church would have a greater impact on the world if it had only heeded these words of John.
 
If we (the Church) make it a point to promote Jesus and not us (our building, music, pastor, friendliness, acceptance, comfort level, etc.), then we would see an increase in people following Jesus.  Like John the Baptist, our job in this world is Jesus’ promotion and not self/church promotion.
 
Verse 31-32:  These verses appear to be the reflective words of John “the Evangelist” and explain why Jesus must increase (since he is from above) and ultimately above all.  John the Baptist speaks of the earthly things and thus does not have the same authority as Jesus, so it is imperative that Jesus increase and John must decrease.  When Jesus speaks about the things of heaven, he speaks with authority, and yet humanity (in general) has not accepted his message.  
 
Verse 33 - 36:  Those who receive Jesus’ testimony do so by accepting that his Word is indeed the Word of God, and that God is faithful.  He has given us an unlimited amount of the Spirit.  He re-iterates the theme of this chapter…  Jesus is the Son of God; all things are given to Him by the Father.  Anyone who believes (Commits unto, trusts, places confidence in, has saving faith) in Jesus has abundant life.  Whoever does not believe or obey will not have abundant life, joy, peace or a place in the Kingdom of God.
  
Application/Conclusion
The command of John the Baptist for "Jesus to increase, and we must decrease" calls us to mutually embody humility, unity, and a Christ-centered focus in the body of Christ. This involves prioritizing the values and teachings of Jesus in our interactions, decision-making, and overall goals. Practically, we can apply this by fostering an environment of mutual support and respect, where the needs of others are placed above individual desires. Engaging the neighborhood, outreach programs, and collaborative efforts to address social issues are some ways we can reflect Jesus' love and compassion. Furthermore, our worship, prayer meetings, and study groups should center around growing in understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus. By doing so, we strengthen our bonds within the community and serve as a beacon of Christ's presence and love to the broader world.
 
The message of "Jesus must increase, and I must decrease" invites us to embrace the Kingdom life. It challenges us to evaluate our priorities and actions, ensuring they align with the teachings of Jesus. As we decrease in our self-importance and increase our dedication to living out our faith, we experience a transformation that enriches our spiritual journey and impacts those around us. By making Jesus the center of our lives, we become more compassionate and Christ-like. This journey of decreasing self and increasing Christ within us is a continuous process that requires daily commitment and a heart open to the transformative power of God's love.
 
 

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