John 3:31-36

In this section John summarizes the rest of chapter 3 (or seems to – scholars might differ from my view here):

• Jesus is above all, for He comes from heaven.
• Earthly people understand only earthly things (Nicodemus, for instance)
• Jesus testifies to heavenly truths, but people do not receive His testimony (again, see Nicodemus' difficulty receiving Jesus' witness)
• John the Baptist has accepted Jesus' testimony, and he certifies that God is truthful. We should listen to John the Baptist's testimony, for he received God's testimony about Jesus.
• Jesus speaks God's words, for Jesus has God's Spirit (see chapter 1:32-34)
• The Father loves the Son; therefore all things are in Jesus' hands. We can see this throughout the book of John to this point. We found out at the beginning that nothing was created without the Word (Jesus), that the Word was with God and was God, that life is found in the Word, that this life was the light of men, that the Word became flesh, that He has glory, that He came full of grace and truth, and that the Father sent the Spirit to Him. All things are in Jesus' hands – the earthly Creation and spiritual greatness – everything.
• Since all things are in Jesus' hands, including life itself... whoever believes in the Son has eternal life
• Since all things are in Jesus' hands, including life itself... whoever rejects the Son will not see life, because God's wrath remains on Him. Life is found in Jesus, but wrath apart from Him.

 

I should probably correct myself at this point. It seems as though John's summary here involves more than chapter 3. He is retracing his major thoughts through the gospel so far – that's what it seems like. And his conclusions here – before arriving at the end of the gospel – are staggering.

 

How much do I believe that all things are actually in Jesus' hands? The way this world operates, it is very easy to think that we have some measure of control over valuable aspects of our lives. Don't our choices make a difference? Can't we enjoy life do some degree apart from Jesus? Yes. And no. What John teaches us is that there is one ultimate decision in our lives that makes all the difference for everything else. This one decision sets the course for the rest of our lives. It changes everything.

 

We start off as men. We have some degree of life. Some degree of health. Some degree of community, of wealth, of achievement, of reality. But all of this is nothing. Yes, it is something, but compared to what is found in Jesus, it is nothing. Because what we have is condemned. We are condemned. We are under the wrath of God. And the illusion that we are healthy, successful, wealthy – the illusion that we have something worth holding on to – will one day be shown to be an illusion. All that we value will be stripped away and will reveal that everything of true value is found in Jesus Christ.

 

Nothing in all of creation exists apart from Jesus Christ. Glory resides in Him. Truth resides in Him. Life resides in Him. These are the good things we want. And God sent Jesus Christ into the world so that those who believe in Him can have these good things. But the point is not really the good things. The point is that Jesus Christ is good for us. God loves Him and has put everything in His hands. If we choose Him, we have everything worth having. We may feel like we lose out. We may feel like we lose money, or time, or personal glory, or prestige, or relationships, or health, or property. Because in earthly terms, we will lose these things. But John is trying to show us what is true in heavenly terms. And in heavenly terms, we gain everything when we gain Jesus Christ. Everything worth having.

 

Wrath? Or Christ, and everything in Him? Father, why is the choice so difficult for so many? Why do I experience temptation when I have all that is good for me already? Why, when I have Jesus Christ, are lesser things still appealing? And why is it not more obvious to those men who do not have Jesus that He is the one treasure they need? Why is this so hidden? Forgive us for our sinful inclinations! Forgive us for our sinful choices! Overlook our weaknesses, and in Your grace lead us to Jesus Christ. Those of us who know Him – remind us repeatedly of His goodness! Those people who do not know Him – make their wretchedness and Jesus' value obvious to them! Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One! May I and all I know be found in Jesus Christ!