Wednesdight Devotional, John 3:31-36

Beauty of Jesus

Sometimes when you get spiritually discouraged or distracted you lose your motivation for why we sacrifice and minister to others.

Sometimes we need a reminder of the beauty and greatness of Jesus.

Intro -

In high school if you had a girlfriend you needed a picture.

-You had this plastic accordion like folder in your wallet that held you wallet size pictures.

-You got extra points if your wrote on the back of the picture.

-You could look at her beauty whenever you wanted.

John 3:31-36 gives us a picture of Jesus beauty and greatness.

I. Jesus is above all, vs. 31-32

A. 31 A, Jesus has ultimate authority.

-There is nothing and no one that escapes the mighty authority of God.

B. 31 B, Those who are of the earth only know earthly things - not supernatural or spiritual things

I Corinthians 1:18

vs 31- We are being saved by the power of God because He is above all. Above our rebellion and above our sin.

II. Jesus has given testimony of His own greatness. No one received it., vs. 32

John 3:11

-The unbeliever does not do not see and understand because of Spiritual blindness.

III. Some did receive it. vs. 33

John 1:11-12

vs. 33 says that those who have “set your seal” to the truthfulness of God.

In Bible Times officials would place a wax stamp on a document showing that it was from the sender.

They would “Set their seal”.

D.A. Carson

“the believer has certified that God is truthful—not just that Jesus is truthful, but that God is truthful.”

III. The Spirit is given to Jesus without measure.

read verse 34

In the O.T. the Spirit of God would rest on the prophets. The Prophets received a measure of the Spirit that they needed for their mission.

-Some needed more. Some needed less.

II Corinthians 9:8

With God’s Spirit there is one Baptism of the Spirit, many fillings.

-When God calls you to a task.

-He will give you the help and the Spirit’s strength for it.

BUT with Jesus, The Spirit of God is given to Him without limit, without measure.

-Jesus has all of the Spirit.

-Constantly full of the Spirit.

-Jesus is God and the Spirit is God.

IV. The Reign of The Son, vs 35

The Son reigns over all things.

-Adams and Molecules move because Jesus has given them permission to move.

-Kings make decisions because God has given them the ability and will to make decisions.

-Russia is at the gates of the Ukraine because God has allowed it.

The Son Reigns.

One Day He will reign & establish an earthly Kingdom.

This earthly Kingdom will dwell forever.

Revelation 5:11-13

Motivation for the Father to “give all things into His Hands”

vs. 35, The Father loves the Son

The reign that the Father gives to the Son is a gift that is motivated out of love for the Son.

-There is not jealousy or competition in the Godhead.

-All things are orchestrated by the plan of the Father.

Transition - Ultimately the love and plan of the Father orchestrated the Salvation of His people.

Read verse 36.

We must obey the Son.

The greatest obedience is done when we trust Jesus as our Savior & repent. We turn to Him.

Jesus’ authority and reign is not only over an impersonal world and universe, but over our spiritual lives as well.

A God that is all powerful and might - is also a God that is tender and loves to save sinners.

So, we praise Him and we follow Him.