The Gospel of John: John 3.22-36

Read and meditate on John 3.33.
We want to linger over John’s comment here, because it is fraught with significance for us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

          ³³“They prove God true, each one
who has received His testimony.”

- John 3.33

Reflect
1.  First, we note that John acknowledges that at least some (“He” NKJV, “They” in our verse translation) have received Jesus’ testimony. If John were the only one to have done so, at least he did. What did it mean for John to have received the testimony of Jesus? Complete this prayer: Lord, today I expect people to know that I have received Your testimony by…

2.  Evidently, the testimony of our Lord Jesus was testimony about God, for the result of receiving His testimony is to certify that God is true. In what sense is God true? True about what? For how much of life and the world? How should God being true affect our approach to getting along in this world? You are true, O Lord, and I want to…

3.  John says that he who receives Jesus’ testimony certifies that God is true. The Greek verb here means something like “sets a seal” or even “proves.” How did John the Baptist certify that God is true? In what ways did his life bear the stamp of God’s truth? Lord, You are at work within me to form me into Your own image (2 Cor. 3.18). Today, I need You to…

4.  What is involved in someone receiving Jesus’ testimony today? That is, how might someone learn the things Jesus has seen and heard, and receive and certify them? What is your role in this process? What I have seen and heard from You, Lord, let me…

5.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians and said they were the credentials that proved his ministry (2 Corinthians 3). How did they do that? What was being stamped on them, and how did that certify Paul’s ministry and testimony? What does it mean to be stamped with the image of Jesus Christ, and how does this come about in our lives? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“There was no other possible way of showing the impiety of those who do not believe except by making known the glorious achievement of the believers. Evil is a lot easier to see when it is contrasted with good. When you know there is something better out there, it only puts what is worse in starker contrast. If anyone then, John says, has assented to the words of the one who comes from above, he has sealed and confirmed by his understanding that truth is ever near and dear to the divine nature. The opposite is just as obvious because anyone who throws away the faith will most certainly testify, against himself, that God is not true.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

God intends to establish Himself as true, and to do this through those who receive the testimony of Jesus. What are the implications of this for our lives as disciples in the world – in every arena and aspect of life in the world?

Closing Prayer
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face.
Selah
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.

Psalm 24.1-7

Psalm 24.1-6 (Foundation: How Firm a Foundation)
The earth is the Lord’s, as is all it contains;
The world and its peoples He daily sustains.
He founded it fast on the seas long ago,
And bid gentle rivers throughout it to flow.

Oh, who may ascend to the Lord’s holy place?
And who may appear to His glorious face?
All they who are clean in their hearts and their hands
And true in their souls with the Savior shall stand.

A blessing all they from the Lord shall receive
Who seek Him and on His salvation believe.
For these are His people, the children of grace,
Who earnestly, eagerly seek for His face.           

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.