We met John the Baptist in John 1:6-8 and in John 1:19-36. On each occasion, John is testifying about Jesus. This is his last appearance in the gospel and he authenticates and testifies to the ministry of Jesus.

Notice two things about John:

1. Whatever the background to the question of crowds being attracted to Jesus (v. 26), John knows his place. He is the best man to the bridegroom. His joy is complete when the bridegroom is the centre of attention (v. 29).
2. He is crystal clear that Jesus is sent by God to speak God's words (v. 34). He stands in contrast to those who reject Jesus' testimony even though Jesus speaks God's words (v. 32; see John 1:10-11). Verse 33 makes it clear that the person who believes the testimony believes that God speaks truly.

The solidarity between the Father and the Son is highlighted: the Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands (v. 35). To have the Son, through belief, is to have life. Rejection of the Son means that God's wrath remains (v. 36).

This solidarity of God the Father and God the Son is mentioned numerous times (John 5:19-20; 6:37-40; 8:29; 12:44-50; 14:9) in John's gospel. There may well be those who drive a wedge between the severe Father God and His merciful Son. Jesus, they say, seems far more approachable than the ″aloof″ God of judgment. The apostle Paul tells us that ″God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ″ (2 Corinthians 5:19). God's love for the world led Him to send His precious Son to die for it.

Sending out the disciples in Matthew 10, Jesus encourages them, for not only is there solidarity between the Father and the Son, there is also solidarity between the Son and the disciple: ″Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me″ (Matthew 10:40).