John 3:22–36 Sermon

Sermon Text

John 3:22–36 ESV

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Introduction and Background

Verse 22 begins with “after this.” So of course we have to ask the question “after what?”

Last week we read through verses 16-21 of John chapter 3.

Jesus is giving Nicodemus the gospel.

In verses 16 and 17 Jesus spoke of God giving and sending the Son.

God gave His only Son so that those who’d believe would not perish.

We also saw God sent the Son with a mission.

His mission was not to condemn the world but to save it. And He would do this in His earthly life.

In verse 18, we read about a belief and disbelief in the Son.

We talked about the cause of our faith and the cause of our condemnation.

The cause to our faith comes from the work of God alone.

Belief can only come through the work of God in Christ.

And our condemnation comes from our already disbelief in the Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Being that we were condemned and in darkness, we needed the light of Christ which we read in verse 19.

John 3:19 ESV

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Our third point was the light of the Son.

We talked mainly about two things.

1. Jesus is light and He has come into the world

2. People loved themselves and their own works over the work of God

Jesus coming into the world as light exposed clearly that we were condemned and it clearly revealed the work of God in someone to believe!

It showed us how we come to saving faith and it showed us that we were already condemned which comes from our rejection.

Which was our last point in verses 20-21. The rejection of the Son and the work of God.

Nicodemus approached Christ and affirmed that God was with Him and he believed in the signs Jesus did.

But Nicodemus did not receive the testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who was Himself God.

Jesus gave Nicodemus the gospel. And it reveals to us the amazing work that God does that only He could do in a person who needs faith.

1. The Setting (v.22-24)

Read verses 22 - 24.

John 3:22–36 ESV

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Verse 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

Verse 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

Verse 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

Verse 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

We see according to verse 22 that Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside.

Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus took place in Jerusalem, which by the way was a part of Judea. Judea being a region.

The country side would have been outside of the city where there were more farms and they would have called earth land.

We don’t now exactly where Jesus and His disciples were but what we do know is that Jesus remained there and was baptizing.

We see later that Jesus Himself was not baptizing according to , but that It was His disciples doing the baptisms.

John 4

In verse 23 we see that John was also baptizing.

It was His disciples that baptized but since it was under Him

John 4:1–2 ESV

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),

John 4

John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there.

Aenon was a Hebrew word meaning “springs.” Which was most likely a place that had have plenty of water.

Which was most likely a place that had have plenty of water.

John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), 1582.

We also see that people were coming and being baptized.

We have to remember that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.

Matthew 3:11 ESV

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

and people were coming and being baptized

Meaning

His baptism was only preparing people for the appearance of Jesus Christ.

It was symbolic of one the need for a change of mind. One that would turn from sin and turn to Jesus Christ who was Himself God.

That is why the beginning of John started the way it did.

John was baptizing and people were coming to him.

But what we have to see is that this section is a transition.

We do see some overlap where John continued to baptize as Jesus disciples were baptizing but later we do see an eventual transition which is cemented in John’s arrest.

As Jesus’ disciples wer baptizing a discussion arose between John’s disciple’s and a Jew.

2. The Discussion (v.25-26)

Read verse 25 and 26

Verse 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification.

Verse 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

The NLT actually captures it well.

John 3:25 NLT

25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.

John 3

Which makes sense since John was baptizing.

They might have been debating .

Leviticus 14:8–9 ESV

8 And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. 9 And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean.

We really don’t know but have an account if you remember in .

After asking John about who he was verses 24 and 25 of chapter one reads,

John 1:24–25 ESV

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

Essentially, they were asking by what authority was he doing these things by.

And of course his response was that he was only preparing the way.

Also, we see in , that there were tax collectors and soldiers being baptized which would have greatly challenged the Jews when it came to ceremonial cleansing.

The discussion led to John’s disciples going to John and they asked about Jesus and His baptism.

Read Verse 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

John’s disciples saw many people going to John and responding to the call for repentance.

Notice two things in their response.

First, they said to John “he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness.”

Question: Is it possible that they might have been followers of John who themselves did not bear witness of Jesus?

Well, they didn’t say “he who was with us of whom we bore witness.”

Most likely the case that they didn’t.

Second, they said to John “look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

They seemed concerned only with the fact that all people were now going to Jesus.

Which was the plan from the beginning! This was John’s message the whole time!

This was John’s message the whole time!

They forgot John’s answer in .

John 1:26–27 ESV

26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

This was the plan. To prepare the way for the One to come. Who would baptize with fire.

think affirms this in his response to their concern.

3. The Response (v.27-36)

Introduction

Last week we talked about 4 things that we saw in verses 16 to 21.

The first was The giving and sending of the Son in verses 16 and 17.

Read verses 16 and 17

Verse 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

We saw that in the giving of God’s only Son, we who came to faith would:

First: Not perish

Meaning that those who believe in the Son will not be destroyed

Which meant that those who believe in the Son will not be destroyed.

And it meant that we would never perish because of faith in Christ which meant that...

Verse 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The Second of what we saw was that: We would have eternal life.

Which is the result of saving faith in the Son whom God had sent for that very purpose.

God not only gave His Son but He sent His only Son.

We also saw in Scripture that eternal life is the know the Father and the Son.

God sent His only Son.

To be sent meant that the one sent was expected to carry out the mission they were given.

The mission of Jesus being given and sent into the world was:

John 3:17 ESV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The mission of Jesus Christ was not to condemn the world.

His mission was that the world might be saved through him.

Second we talked about a Belief and a disbelief in the Son in verse 18.

Read Verse 18

To be condemned essentially meant that one has been pronounced guilty and we saw our need to be justified through the death and resurrection of the Son who was given for that very purpose.

Verse 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

In coming into the world Jesus exposed the our already condemned state (which was darkness) by His life which was light. Which was the third point.

3. The light of the Son in verse 19.

Read verse 19

Verse 18 spoke of a verdict or a judgement made that clearly revealed our love for other than God.

Verse 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

John 3:18 ESV

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

In the incarnation we have God the Son coming in the flesh exposing the darkness of our hearts but also He was providing Himself as the source of salvation for those who would come to saving faith.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned. Meaning that belief in Jesus saves! Which is a work of God and not of man.

We are born rejecting God because of our sinful disposition. But God works in us to belief! Which was the last point.

4. The rejection and work of the Son in verses 20-21.

Read verse 20

Verse 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

This was the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus prior to today’s text.

Read verse 21

Verse 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Remember that this was given to a man of the pharisees who knew the law but did not receive the testimony of who Jesus was.

Outline

1. The Setting (v.22-24)

2. The Discussion (v.25-26)

3. The Response (v.27-36)

In verses 22 to 24 we see the setting of our text.

1. The Setting (v.22-24)

Read verses 22-24.

Verse 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

Verse 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

Verse 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

We see in verse 22 that Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside.

Jerusalem is a part of Judea. The countryside meant that they were outside of the city.

No different than today when we speak of being outside of the city which meant more farmland and less buildings and people being more scattered.

We see that Jesus remained there and was baptizing.

We know from that Jesus Himself didn’t baptize but it was His disciples that carried out the work of baptizing people.

Jesus and His disciples began baptizing while John continued to baptize.

Remember that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.

Meaning:

Verse 23 shows us where John was baptizing.

There’s debate as to exactly where Aenon near Salim

There’s debate as to exactly where Aenon is. But what we do know is that Aenon can be translated as springs from the Hebrew. Which may have meant that there was much water there to baptize people.

So Jesus was in the countryside in Judea which could have been in the suburbs of Jerusalem, People were still being baptized by Jon and this took place before John was put into prison (verse 24).

Verses 25 and 26 show us that a discussion arose.

2. The Discussion (v.25-26)

Read verses 25 and 26

Verse 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification.

Verse 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

The NLT actually got it right.

John 3:25 NLT

25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.

John’s disciples and a Jew were debating over ceremonial cleansing.

A debate may have been about what happened in .

Luke 3:12–14 ESV

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Luke 3:

Tax collectors and soldiers who were Gentiles were also coming to be baptized.

A Jew would have been offended by a ceremony being extended to other than their own.

Answering the chief priests and the elders in chapter 21 of Matthew, Jesus said this in .

the chief priests and the elders

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Matthew 21:32 ESV

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

There may have been another reason for the discussion but what we do know is that the Jews questioned John about his baptism in and following they must have not liked that the Gentiles were coming to be baptized.

The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance. Meaning that it was done so that people would change their minds (which is what repentance meant).

John’s role was to prepare the way. It was never meant to point to John as the way.

John’s disciples seem to have forgotten or maybe they never believed what he was saying the whole time!

His disciples came to him in verse 26 saying,

John 3:26 ESV

26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

Two things we see here.

First, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness.”

“He who was with you.” Interesting that they didn’t say “He who was with us.”

Maybe it was because they were new and weren’t there. Or maybe it was because they didn’t believe John’s testimony about Jesus Christ.

Either case they spoke of John bearing witness and didn’t speak of their belief in his witness.

Second, “look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

This seems to indicate that they didn’t like the fact that all were going to Jesus instead of John.

They said “look, He is baptizing.” (He’s doing what we are doing and all are going to Him).

At this point one who did not believe and know who Jesus was would have seen this as a threat to what they were doing.

Meaning that they would have been troubled by losing the crowds. Which by the way was a concern that the Scribes and Pharisees had about Jesus.

But John’s response shows us something else. It shows us that John believed and that he knew something very important about Jesus.

We see John’s response to his disciples in verses 27 to 36.

3. The Response (v.27-36)

There are two things that we will see in verses 27 to 36.

First, we see in John’s response that he knew Jesus to be the Bridegroom.

Second, we see in John’s response that he knew Jesus to be greater.

These points are important because of what John’s disciples had not yet understood and it was what John believed which was proven in his humility.

There is something that humbled John which we will see in our text today!

Also, It is a good reminder for us when speaking of our place in Jesus Christ.

We cannot substitute the truth of who Jesus Christ is with who we are in Jesus Christ.

First, Jesus is the Bridegroom (v.27-29)

Read verses 27 to 29.

Verse 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Verse 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

Verse 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

In Verse 27, John talks about what a person cannot receive.

“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

This is an admission that it is God who gives everything to everyone.

Especially, the witness or the belief that Jesus is the Son of God which is what this whole gospel is all about. I’d argue by the way that it is what this whole bible is about.

Remember Peter in ?

Matthew 16:13–17 ESV

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

The genuine witness of Jesus as the Son of God can only come by God’s provision.

A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Especially, the truth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

This is what John was given and it was the very thing that kept him in check.

The truth of Jesus Christ when believed saves! And also it humbles. It is the one thing that can only save and the One thing that can humble a man to repentance.

That is why if you are here today and you have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, you should rejoice! Because apart from this we are blind and left in ruin!

We are left with self exaltation and ruin apart from saving faith in Christ.

Apart from this we are blind and left in ruin!

But given saving faith in Christ we joy in exalting Him and we are given the promise of eternal life with Him!

John’s disciples didn’t get it.

They only concerned themselves with who was leaving and not coming to them because everyone was going to Jesus now.

But only if they knew who Jesus was! They would have been rejoicing!

John in his response, would leave no room for pride. He was given the truth of who Jesus was it kept him.

He believed that:

He believed that Jesus was the Lamb of God

He believed that Jesus was before Him

He believed that Jesus was Himself the Creator of all things

He believed that Jesus was the true light that shines in the darkness

He believed that Jesus was the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us

He believed that Jesus was the One who is full of grace and truth

He believed in Jesus. John said “he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

This precious gift of who Jesus is, the precious gift of faith, genuine faith is given by God! And it will keep us!

It’s what John meant in .

1 John 2:5 ESV

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

Sadly, it seems that this wasn’t the case for those preoccupied with the crowds leaving them and going to Jesus.

They only thought about their ministry and most likely didn’t have a clue about Jesus as the Bridegroom!

In verse 28, John reminds them of what he said.

John 3:28 ESV

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

John was only preparing the way and Jesus was the reason for his ministry in the first place.

He was sent before him and now that Jesus is beginning His ministry, John would recall his place. But it seems that his disciples had forgotten this. Or maybe never believed.

John speaks even more in depth of his place in verse 29.

John 3:29 ESV

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Question: Do you see how much greater Jesus is?

Not only is Jesus eternally higher than John in worth (He is God).

Jesus is the bridegroom and John is just a friend.

The engagement Jesus had with people was far more than John could ever have.

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Not only is Jesus a Saviour, He was a Bridegroom! And John, who people thought to be the Christ or Elijah, was only a friend to the Bridegroom.

John knew his place!

He didn’t concern himself with who wouldn’t come to his baptism and how many others are going to Jesus now that he is here.

The opposite is true!

ESV 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

John 3:29 ESV

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Question: Why?

Because the Bridegroom is here for His bride. Namely, His church!

This is what John was talking about in verse 27 when speaking of what people didn’t receive.

John 3:27 ESV

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

When one receives the knowledge of who Christ is through saving faith it must call one to rejoice at the greatness and exaltation of Jesus Christ!

This was the mystery that Paul talked about in .

That the mystery was that marriage referred always to Christ and His church and John knew this!

He knew it because it was granted to Him by God!

Those without it will only have concern for crowds and earthly things that have no eternal significance. Namely, because they do not know Jesus Christ and do not believe!

Question: When is the last time you had cause to rejoice over the truth of Jesus Christ?

Question: Have you rejoiced over the greatness of our God?

Question: Has joy sprung up from your soul over the supremacy and sovereignty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Question: When was the last time you were emotional over the fact that we are His cherished bride? That He would include us? So much that He uses marital language to describe His love for us?

In other words, Question: when has the truth of Jesus Christ overwhelmed you!?

God sent His Son into the world.

Here we can also say that The Father sent His Son for His bride.

Question: How could John not rejoice!?

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.

He did and so should we! Especially, because we are the church in whom Christ died for!

Jesus was not just the Son coming into the world. He was the Bridegroom coming for His bride!

This makes Jesus far better and greater than John!

John, knowing this about Jesus, knew Jesus to be greater!

32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.

Second, Jesus is greater (v.30-36)

Read Verse 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

John knew this truth so much that it called him to know that he needed to decrease.

34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Meaning that he believed in who Jesus was. Which humbled him. Which he continues to unpack in the following verses.

35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Read Verse 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Two things here.

First, John was He who was of the earth. Who belonged to the earth and spoke in an earthly way.

First, John was He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way.

John was of the earth

He knew in comparison to Jesus who he was in light of who Jesus was

John was earthly but Jesus was of heaven

Second,

Second, He who comes from heaven (from above) is above all.

Jesus is above all

Showing the supremacy and worth of the Son

Since He was the Son sent He has seen and heard the Father Himself

That is why Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father

Read Verse 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.

John 5:19 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

So what Jesus says about Himself and the Father comes from the Father Himself.

Yet people did not receive what He said. Leaving them to their own condemnation. Which is darkness.

But to those who do receive what Jesus says (read verse 33).

Read Verse 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

Those who come to saving faith will set their seal to the truth that God is true!

They will believe what Jesus said in

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The truth comes from Jesus who is the truth! Granted to whom the Father chooses and sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. And on that seal it reads, “God is true.”

Verse 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Read Verse 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Meaning without limits! Which no once can testify to when speaking of themselves!

Jesus is above all

Jesus is fully God

Jesus is given the Spirit without measure

This is the truth of Jesus Christ! Just by the fact of who He is means that He is greater than John, greater than Moses or anyone.

So much that in verse 35 we read:

Read Verse 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

That is why a rejection of Jesus Christ is a rejection of life and of all things good.

That is why (read verse 36).

Read Verse 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Belief in the Son gives eternal life.

Belief in the Son is how we can obey His commands.

Not for salvation but because of salvation.

But those apart from saving faith in Christ do not obey in fact they cannot because they do not have a genuine belief in Jesus Christ

John 3:36 ESV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Those who reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God sent by the Father are left with:

Disobedience. Which means that they are law breakers before God.

The wrath of God. The judgement of God remains on them because they do not have faith in Jesus Christ. They only have a heart set on disobeying God.

They are left with the earthly and the temporal with no eternal significance and worth!

Apart from saving faith the wrath of God remains on us!

But thanks be to God for the giving and sending of His Son!

John 3:16–17 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

May God grant us belief in Him! That we would rejoice over the truth of who He is and may that joy be expressed to those without saving faith in Him!

Close in prayer!

There are two things that we will see in verses 27 to 36.

The first we will see Jesus as the Bridegroom.

Second, we will see that Jesus is greater.

These points are important because of what John’s disciples had not yet understood.

It is a good reminder for us when speaking of our place in Jesus Christ.

First, Jesus is the Bridegroom (v.27-29)

Read verses 27 to 29.

Verse 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Verse 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

Verse 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

In Verse 27, John talks about what a person cannot receive.

“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

““A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

This is an admission that it is God who gives everything to everyone.

Especially, the witness of Jesus as the Son of God which is what this whole gospel is all about. I’d argue by the way that it is what this whole bible is about.

Remember Peter in Matthew 16?

Matthew 16:13–17 ESV

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

The genuine witness of Jesus as the Son of God can only come by God’s provision.

A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Especially, the truth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

That is why if you are here today and you have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, you must rejoice!

Apart from this we are blind and left in ruin!

Some of John’s disciples didn’t get it. They only concerned themselves with who was leaving and not coming to them because everyone was going to Jesus now.

John in his response left no room for error here. He was given the truth of who Jesus was.

Jesus was in the beginning with God

Jesus is Himself God

Jesus is Himself the Creator of all things

Jesus is the true light that shines in the darkness

Jesus was the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us

Jesus is the One who is full of grace and truth

Jesus. The One who John said “he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

This precious gift of who Jesus is, the precious gift of faith, genuine faith is given by God!

Seems it wasn’t the case for those preoccupied with the crowds leaving them and going to Jesus.

In verse 28, John reminds them of what he said.

John 3:28 ESV

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

John

John was only preparing the way and Jesus was the reason for his ministry.

He was sent before him and now that Jesus is beginning His ministry, John would recall his place. But it seems that his disciples had forgotten this.

John then speaks even more in depth of his place in verse 29.

John 3:29 ESV

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Question: Do you see how much greater Jesus is?

Not only is Jesus eternally higher than John in worth (He is God).

Jesus is the bridegroom and John is just his friend.

The engagement Jesus had with people was far more than John could ever have.

Not only is Jesus a Saviour, He was the Bridegroom! And John, who people thought to be the Christ or Elijah, was only a friend to the Bridegroom.

John knew his place! He didn’t concern himself with who wouldn’t come to his baptism and how many others are going to Jesus now that he is here.

The opposite is true!

John 3:29 ESV

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Question: Why?

Because the Bridegroom is here for His bride. Namely, His church!

This is what John was talking about in verse 27 when speaking of what people didn’t receive.

John 3:27 ESV

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

When one receives the knowledge of who Christ is through saving faith it must call one to rejoice at the greatness of exaltation of Jesus Christ!

Those without it will only have concern for crowds and earthly things that have no eternal significance.

Question: When is the last time you had cause to rejoice over the truth of Jesus Christ?

Question: Have you rejoiced over the greatness of our God?

Question: Has joy sprung up from your soul over the supremacy and sovereignty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Question: When was the last time you were emotional over the fact that we are His cherished bride?

In other words, Question: when has the truth of Jesus Christ overwhelmed you!?

God sent His Son into the world. Here we can also say that The Father sent His Son to His bride.

Question: How could John not rejoice!?

He did and so should we! Especially, because we are the church in whom Christ died for!

Jesus was not just the Son coming into the world. He was the Bridegroom coming for His bride!

This makes Jesus far better and greater than John!

Lastly, Jesus is greater (v.30-36)

John, knowing this about Jesus, he said verse 30 to 36.

Read verses 30-36.

Verse 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Verse 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Verse 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.

Verse 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

Verse 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Verse 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

Verse 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John knew this truth so much that it called him to know that he needed to decrease.

Meaning