John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison.John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison.
Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given 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; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease."
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. - John 3:23-36 (RSVCE)
Some of the disciples of Saint John the Baptist, on hearing that Jesus is baptizing and drawing all men to Him, inform their master. Saint John declares that the new Teacher is the Bridegroom, the Spouse of His Bride the Church; that it is his own greatest joy to witness the increase of His influence, for He is from Heaven, and the Son of God.
Observe how readily and gracefully Saint John retires into the background. There is no selfishness and jealousy at seeing how another is preferred before him. On the contrary, to listen to the Voice of the Lamb of God is the fulfillment of all his hopes and his greatest joy. Here is the test of the true Apostle of the real Saint. He is willing thus to be thrust out of sight and notice. How different from myself, who want to be highly esteemed and noticed!
Saint John bears witness to the Son of God under a new character, that of the Bridegroom. Thus he declares, under God's inspiration, the fact of the mystical union of Christ and His Church: "He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom," and so testifies to the Divinity of Jesus. Jesus is the Spouse of each Christian soul. How pure, therefore, should my soul be if it is to be fit for His sacred presence.
Saint John further declares that Jesus is from Heaven and teaches what He has Himself seen, and that His words are the words of God, and that all things are given into His hand. If this was true while He was clad in the form of a servant, how much more now that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! In His hands, then, I am always safe.
- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ