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The Scriptorium

It's All Good

John rebukes and teaches his followers.

The Gospel of John: John 3.22-36

Read and meditate on John 3.27-30
John’s reply to his disciples, when they expressed their concern about Jesus’ rising popularity, is a study in humility and faith. We can all learn much from John.

       27John replied, “What would you have me do?
A man receives what comes to him from heaven,
and nothing more. 28The witness I have given,
as you well know, is that I am not He,
the Christ, but I was sent before Him. 29He
Who has the bride the bridegroom is; His friend
rejoices greatly at His voice, and stands
and hears Him. Thus my joy is full. 30He must
increase, and I must decrease, as I trust.”

- John 3.27-30

Reflect
1.  John’s first line of response to his disciples (v. 27) is to put this situation in a proper context – “under the heavens,” as Solomon might say, rather than “under the sun.” Why was this important? What does it reveal to us about John? Complete this prayer: Too often, Lord, I’m living only “under the sun,” and my discipleship falters. Help me to live “under the heavens” at all times, so that…

2.  Meditate on John’s use of the verb, receive. What does this suggest about how he viewed his ministry? Did John feel as though he had earned his status as rabbi because of anything in him? How does one maintain the kind of view of his life and calling that John expresses in this verb? I know, Lord, that every good and perfect gift comes from You, and is given for…

3.   John mildly reproaches his disciples in verse 28 for not having paid better attention to him. How could they have missed this message? Are we in danger of missing messages as well, because we’re too attached to a person or ministry? Explain. You are the Center, Lord; You are the Goal, You are…

4.  Meditate on Micah 4.1-8. In the light of this, explain John’s comment in verse 29. How does this apply to your church, and your role in your church? Help me always to rejoice, Lord, as I remember that…

5.  What does John’s comment in verse 30 reveal about him? Compare this with Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 4.17-24. How should John’s comment and Paul’s teaching guide your walk with and work for the Lord? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Do not be surprised that he seems to speak somewhat humbly of Christ, especially when you consider that it was not appropriate to tell the whole truth to minds prepossessed with such a passion as envy. He only tries at present to alarm them by showing them that they are making war against none other than God himself when they attack Christ.… It is as if he said it is no wonder that Christ does such excellent works and that everyone comes to him when you consider that the one who does it all is God. Human efforts are easily seen through, are feeble and short-lived. These actions of Jesus are not like that. They are not therefore of human but of divine origin.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

John is not troubled by what some consider a threat to his leadership. He knows Whom he has believed and served, and he wants to make sure his followers do as well. John is full of grace and truth as he rebukes and corrects his followers. What can we learn from him about following Jesus?

Closing Prayer
The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The LORDshall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at Your right hand…

Psalm 110.1-5a

Psalm 110.1-4 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” the Lord says to my Lord,
“Until I make Your foot stand on all who hate Your Word.”
From in His Church the Savior rules all His enemies;
While those who know His favor go forth the Lord to please.

Filled with the Spirit’s power, in holy robes of love,
From early morning’s hour they serve their Lord above.
Christ reigns a priest forever, the King of Righteousness
And King of Peace Who ever His chosen ones will bless.

T. M. Moore

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, can show you how Jesus is central to all aspects of life in the world – and beyond! Our course is free, and you can study at your own pace, watching videos and using the free materials provided.

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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