John 3:22-36 Jesus Exalted Above All Others

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Jesus, Exalted Above All Others

John 3:22-36

Introduction: If we keep in mind John’s purpose from 20:30-31 (“that you might believe” or “continue to believe”), we can always be assured to connect each section of the gospel to John’s intended purpose. That is especially important in this final section of chapter three where emphasis is placed on John the Baptist’s final testimony of Jesus as the one who has come from above and therefore is above all. The key phrase is, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

This section testifies to a critical truth:

1. The ministry of John the baptizer was extremely popular. The people of Judea and Galilea were electrified by his appearance and in hope of the Messiah. Matthew 3:5, “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him.” 
2. The ministry of John was enduring to the point that some of his disciples struggled with the transition to Jesus. This is evident in this section but also in John’s need to repeatedly claim that he was not the Christ (1:20-21).

Therefore, this section was necessary to point all people to Jesus. But more than that, all people of all time must learn their place in relation to Jesus. This section is a strong message for every disciple.

1. Parallels to the Previous Section
   1. Please be aware that our chapter and verse divisions can easily divert out attention from the fact that 2:23 – 3:36 is a complete unit. This is evident by repeated parallels between Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus and John’s conversation with his disciples.
   2. Comparing the beginning of the narrative to the end, we see those who believe, but Jesus did not entrust himself to them. Nicodemus is then put forward as the representative of the establishment in Jerusalem who “does not receive the testimony of Jesus.”
   3. Toward the end of our text, we see John outside of the establishment base. He represents those who both understand who Jesus is and also proclaim him. He does not seek position, exaltation, or power, he gives it up in recognition that the Father has given all things to Son. John and Jesus give a similar message. John bears witness of Jesus, but echoes Jesus’ complaint when he says, “yet no one receives his testimony” (32). 
   4. Further, we see the comparisons between Jesus teaching that he is proclaiming “heavenly things” and that he is giver of transformation and life, fulfilling prophecies of Ezekiel and the serpent on the pole. John concludes the section with verse 36, confirming that only those who obey Jesus will have eternal life. All others will remain under the wrath of God. The confirmation: you must be born from above.
2. Making Sense of the Narrative
   1. We immediately see the side by side statement that Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside and were baptizing. Then along side of this, John is also baptizing and people were coming to him. Since this was happening prior to John’s imprisonment, John’s popularity was still high and it brings up a possible competition between John and Jesus. This competition is highlighted by verse 25 and the discussion between John’s disciples and a Jew and then John’s disciples making a complaint concerning Jesus’ popularity.
   2. The discussion on purification:
      1. In order to understand the discussion about purification between a “Jew” and John’s disciples we need to fill in some blanks. First consider that we have already noted the parallels in this section with Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus. Most everything said by John relates to things Jesus said earlier. Therefore, we should take our cues from Jesus’ teaching earlier in the chapter.
      2. Purification goes back to the Garden. When God placed man in the Garden, no purification was needed because man was without sin. However, after man sinned, God put into place purification rites see in the sacrificial system among the patriarchs. For Israel, God put in place specific sacrifices and cleansing throughout the wilderness and into the Promised Land. 
      3. When Jesus confronted Nicodemus, he emphasized the need for a greater purification than just the cleansing pictures of the OT. Ezekiel had prophesied of the day in which God would personally sprinkle clean water on his people and cleanse them. He would also put his Spirit within them in order to transform their hearts to maintain their purification in God’s presence.
      4. The fact that Jesus and John are baptizing would have brought up the question of their baptisms and purification. Of course, both Jesus and John are baptizing for the same purpose, calling people to repent and prepare for the arrival of the kingdom. The key to their discussion would be [as indicated by the disciples of John] to whom are we to put our allegiance, John or Jesus? 
      5. This gives John the opportunity emphasize his place and purpose in relation to Jesus. Not only is Jesus greater and enduring in greatness, John’s purpose would diminish so that he has simply been temporary puzzle piece in God’s eternal plan.
   3. John’s reasons for promoting Jesus above himself and all other humans:
      1. 27: Whatever anyone receives has been given from God. Therefore, there is no competition between God’s servants. This is a wonderful principle that is critically needed in the church today and in our culture.
         1. When the Corinthians were exalting one man above another (“I of Paul and I of Apollos”), Paul rebuked them saying, “What is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.” 
         2. Remember in Numbers 16 when Korah led a rebellion against Moses by arguing their role was equal to that of Moses? Moses said, “Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle and to stand before the congregation to minister to them…?” 
         3. Just as Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12 concerning the various spiritual gifts give by the determination of the Holy Spirit, every gift is needed within the body, but not every member has the same gift. Every person here has been gifted by God. Your gift is critical to the functioning and growth of the church. 
         4. Paul also commanded in Romans 12:3-6, excel in your gift. To become jealous of others because you think their gift is better is sinful and diminishing the importance of what God has asked us to do. Cf. Ephesians 4:16.
         5. Our world has diminished motherhood. It is as if a mother has little worth and is not making a contribution to the world in which she lives. (Teresa filled out a medical form that asked for “occupation.” She put “personal assistant” because of the low regard for a homemaker.) However, she and all mothers are far more than personal assistants. In fact, there is no one more critical to the future of God’s kingdom and the foundations of our world.
      2. 28: John again reminds his disciples that he is not the Messiah, but was sent to prepare the way before him. Now that Jesus has arrived, John’s purpose has transitioned from preparing the way to pointing to Jesus.
      3. 29-30: John’s illustration: bride, bridegroom, and the “best man.” The bridegroom’s attention is on his bride. That is the primary relationship. The best man has done his job and now steps aside and rejoices over the marriage and the future of wedding couple. Notice, “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.” John has completed his purpose, therefore the bridegroom “must increase,” but the friend of the bridegroom “must decrease.” 
      4. [Translators differ on whether the baptizer’s testimony ends at verse 30, verse 33, or verse 36. I believe verse 33 makes the most sense with the apostle adding his explanation with the word “For…” in verse 34.]
      5. 31-34: The obvious difference between John and Jesus is that one is from above (see 3:13) and one is of the earth. This statement would have been shocking to John’s disciples, but was critical to true belief. It is the “testimony that no one receives.” In chapter six, Jesus’ disciples turned away from him because he said, “I am the true bread that came down from heaven.” However, when one accepts this testimony, he is confirming that God’s is true because he is accepting that the words of Jesus are the words of God (34).
   4. The explanation that God has given the Spirit to Jesus without measure is in contrast to John and all other prophets. Consider the implications of this concerning Jesus:
      1. He is giving the full revelation of God, which was summarized by Jesus being called the “Word” and verse 31-32, he came from above and therefore testifies to what he has seen and heard.
      2. He is the only one who is the giver of life. Giving the “Spirit” carries the metaphor of giving life. Thus, “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (3:6). In Ezekiel 36:26-27 and 37:1-14, transformation would take place when God put his Spirit in his people.
   5. 36: Finally, believing in the Son [therefore, believing in Jesus as God who has come down from heaven] and obeying the Son is the only way to eternal life. To not believe and obey would leave a person with the wrath of God remaining on him. Consider:
      1. This was what was missing in 2:23-24. And this was what was missing with Nicodemus. Being “a teacher come from God” is not the same as believing in the Son of God. 
      2. In 1:33, John announced that Jesus is the one who “baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” Thus, he is the giver of life. The world is already condemned and under the wrath of God. To reject Jesus as the remedy is to remain under God’s wrath.
3. Lessons/Applications
   1. Baptism is clearly immersion – “because there was much water there” (3:23). 
   2. The emphasis and importance of baptism and the connection to purification. Water baptism did not come to an end just because Jesus had now come on the scene. And baptism would continue to be commanded by Jesus when he gave the Great Commission just before he left the earth (Matt. 28:19-20).
   3. “Yet no one receives his testimony” – Cf. 3:11. John does not evaluate Jesus based on how many receive or do not receive him. The majority reject him, especially of the Jews. What keeps John from pride and competition, even when his followers are decreasing and the followers of Jesus are increasing, is the way he measures success. It isn’t numbers or human valuations, it is fulfilling his purpose with all glory going to the Son.
   4. Life is in the Son. Anyone who does not obey the Son will not see life. Simple and straightforward. If you don’t obey, you don’t have life, and the wrath of God remains on you.
   5. Look at this picture in Psalm 45:1-16. This is a description of our wedding. Our bridegroom is coming for us. How would you like him to find you? As Israel, flirting around with other interests? Or as a pure bride who every moment of every day is looking, watching, waiting for her love to arrive?

Berry Kercheville