Today’s reading: John 3
When telling stories about past events, do you sometimes find yourself fighting with others (often times your spouse) over the details? We both could have experienced the same thing, but how B.J. retells the story is almost always different than how I retell it. Why? Which details are important always depends on our individual perspective. Often, what might have been important to me wasn’t important to him, or the detail is that is key to the point he’s trying to make is inconsequential to mine.
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), are four different versions of same story – the life of Jesus Christ. They are different because the writers had different perspectives. John’s version is unique. Rather than sharing stories that help us understand what happened in Jesus’ life, John uses the stories to make the case that Jesus is the Son of God and the only source of eternal life.
Chapter 1 begins with a clear statement of John’s position.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:1-4).
Our text for today, Chapter 3, closes with John affirming his position using the words of John the Baptist.
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them (John 3:31-36).
Let’s take a closer look at John’s main points:
Jesus is above all (verses 31-33) – his testimony is trustworthy because he came from above and could speak about the things he saw/experienced there.
Jesus was sent by God (verse 34) – he was sent to earth to carryout God’s mission of salvation for humanity; while he was here, he had the full power of God (through the Holy Spirit) at his disposal.
Jesus has authority over everything (verse 35-36) – those who choose to believe and put their faith in Jesus have eternal life; those that do not will experience the wrath of God.
In 21 chapters, the Apostle John lays out his argument that Jesus Christ is the indisputable Son of God, the light of the world who offers eternal life to all people.
Do you agree? Who is Jesus Christ to you?
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us (Tozer, 1978).