"After this, JESUS went into the territory of Judea with HIS disciples. HE stayed there with them and baptized. John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, where water was plentiful; people came to him and were baptized. This happened before John was put in prison.
Now John's disciples had been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to John and said, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing, and all are going to HIM.'
John answered, 'No one can receive anything, except what has been given to HIM from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the CHRIST, but I have been sent before HIM. Only the bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by and listens, and rejoices to hear the bridegroom's voice. My joy is now full. It is necessary that HE increase, but that I decrease." - John 3:22-30
(The Gospel admits that many disciples of John the Baptist did not recognize JESUS. They had been drawn by their teacher's example: he was intense and outspoken, hard on himself in food, drink and clothing. Somehow they had the hope, maybe because of John the Baptist's manner, that GOD's true justice would come and bring about direct punishment of the wicked. Like militant followers of whatever good cause, John's disciples had this weakness: they were too focused on their own leaders and ways to consider other possibilities. To become CHRIST's disciples, they would have to give up their own prophets.
It is necessary that HE increase but that I decrease, said the greatest of the prophets. Only JESUS comes from On High, and can fully satisfy the human heart. In HIM nothing of the good is lost, since HE embodies all.)
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