The Gospel of John: John 3.22-36

Read and meditate on John 3.31, 32.
John rebukes his disciples so gently here that we might fail to see this comment for what it is. It’s very easy for people to become so attached to their leaders that they lose sight of the larger context in which leadership is exercised. At such times, they need to be reminded and refocused, as John does here.

³¹He Who from heaven comes is over all;
he who is earthly, speaks of earth. But all
are subject to the One Who comes from heaven.
³²What He has seen and heard, this He has given
to us as testimony; and yet none
receives His Word.”

- John 3.31, 32

Reflect
1.  John compares himself with Jesus by the ideas of “above” and “earth.” Is he demeaning himself and his work? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, I, too, am of the earth, but that doesn’t mean that…

2.  Jesus came “from above,” that is, “from heaven” (v. 31). Why does John speak of heaven as being above? In what sense is heaven above us? How should I think about heaven and the unseen realities existing there? Lord, things in this realm should affect…?

3.  Because He came from heaven, Jesus is “above all.” In what sense is Jesus “above all”? How does Jesus phrase this in Matthew 28.18? What was John saying to his disciples here? What is he saying to you? Jesus, Lord of all, help me to remember today that You are “above all” in…

4.  John’s statement about Jesus’ witness sounds very much like what Jesus Himself said to Nicodemus (vv. 11, 12). In what sense had Jesus “seen and heard” the things about which He testified? How should we expect to see and hear these things? Help me, Lord, to see and hear the things You want me to testify, as I…

5. Nicodemus did not receive Jesus’ testimony. Neither did these disciples of John. How do you understand John’s statement, “no one receives His testimony”? Is John accurate here? Does he seem to be faltering in his faith? Or should we see this as a rebuke to those who have come to him (“none of you receives…”)? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“‘He who comes from above,’ he says, ‘is born of the root that is from above, preserving in himself by nature the Father’s natural goodness. Such a person will most assuredly possess an existence that surpasses everything. For, it would be impossible for the Son not to appear altogether to be the same kind of being as the one who begot him is conceived of. And this is only right. For how can the Son, who excels because he is of the same nature and is the Brightness and express Image of the Father—how can he be inferior to his [Father] in glory? Or will not the property of the Father be dishonored in the Son, and do we not insult the Image of the Begotten, if we consider him to be inferior? But this I suppose will be clear to everyone. This is why it is also written that everyone should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father. Whoever is glorified with equal honor with God the Father, because he exists from him by nature, has to be conceived of as surpassing the essence of things originate. For this is what ‘above all means.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

John’s rebuke of his disciples is pointed but gentle. He reminds them of what he had testified to them, which message they seem to have missed, and chides them for not having believed. Even here John’s humility is evident, since he speaks indirectly to his disciples. How can you see John’s love for his disciples in this response?

Closing Prayer
I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!

Psalm 22.22, 23

Psalm 22.23, 28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the Lord, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.

All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King! His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!

T. M. Moore

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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.