Knowing Jesus - The Overcomer

Intro

Look with me back to verse 5.

Jesus is the one who overcomes. Remember the fears that we discussed last week?

Jesus Came vv. 5-8

By Water

The statement that Jesus came by water is a reference to his baptism from John. He received a physical baptism as an act of submission to take on the likeness of the repentant man. By partaking in the physical baptism provided by John, Jesus illustrated the need for repentance, and therefore, identified with humanity in order to empathize with his creation.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

So Jesus came to earth and received the same repentant baptism that his people were also needing to receive. John the baptist was baptizing as a sign of the people’s repentance. He was not saving anyone. He was calling for repentance and then baptizing as a sign that they had repented.

Remember back to John 3, when Jesus is talking with Nicodemus. Jesus tells him that one must be born of water and spirit. This was Jesus reminding Nicodemus of what John was doing. John the baptist was calling for repentance of God’s people. The pharisees and religious elite saw little need for repentance. They thought they were hot stuff, so why should they repent. So Jesus used that with Nicodemus, “born with water” is a statement referencing a repentant heart.

This verse also gets misconstrued by many who believe a physical water baptism is a prerequisite of receiving salvation. That is simply not the case. In order to receive the promise of salvation from Jesus, you must repent and believe. Once you do that, then you be baptized. The best example of baptism in scripture is the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip. Once he believes in the name of the Lord, he requests to be baptized immediately.

Jesus took on the form of man and illustrated the need to repent. “by water”

By Blood

The statement that Jesus came by blood can be interpretted two ways. I believe the most prominent meaning of this is his physical presence on earth. Many contemporary skeptics, like the Gnostics and Docetists, in the first century argued against Jesus’ physical humanity. Some of them believed that Jesus was divine, but just seemed to be human. Others believed that the Christ-spirit descended at Jesus’ baptism and then departed on the cross before Jesus died.

John Is cutting through these false beliefs by stating that Jesus was not only physically present on earth, but that he is and was fully man and fully God.

Jesus came and offered himself as a sacrifice for us by taking on the form of a servant.

Where else in scripture do we see water and blood at the same time?

The cross!

When Jesus’ side is pierced, there was both water and blood that flowed from his side. (34) John 19:31-42

John 19:31–42 (ESV)

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

I love how scripture just perfectly melds together like this so perfectly.

Jesus Hears vv. 13-15

If we ask anything according to his will, he will hear us!

The question that often comes from these types of passages is: “so I can ask God for anything and I’ll get it?”

Of course not! I can’t as God for a million dollars and think it’ll just appear. I can’t ask God for a mansion and expect someone to sign over a mansion to me.

But what do you think is the key word here?

“his will”

What is God’s will?

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Before asking God for your “grocery list prayer,” try rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in every circumstance.

Another scripture that comes to mind here is Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Focus on the Lord and his righteousness, and you will never need to worry whatsoever in life. I promise. You may continue to worry by choice. But you won’t need to.

How many of you have ever been failed by God?

No one! You know why? Because He doesn’t fail us!

Jesus Saves vv. 16-20

And that is why we can have faith in his salvation for us. His love reached so far and wide to cover us no matter where we are or how far we stray.

Any sin we commit can be forgiven. Jesus’ blood covered it all on the cross. No matter what you have done or will ever do.

The “sin that leads to death” that John refers to here is the denial of Jesus Christ. So if you reject Jesus then that sin and the other sins are not forgiven.

Conclusion

Jesus came. He really did!

Jesus hears. He really does!

Jesus saves. He always will!