John 3:22-36 The Final Call

11.01.09 John 3:22-36 (NASB)

Audio Sermon: John 3:22-36

Going Deeper: Study Guide

The Final Call

Listen to these recent quote excerpts from the Globe and Mail, and try to see if you know who is saying it:

"If people are asking why, it's because I failed."
"I fully accept my share of the responsibility."
"We must learn quickly from this experience and move on.

These are the ‘famous last words’ of Stephane Dion, Liberal Party Leader after he and the Liberals lost voter support in the Federal election late last year. His party was ‘reduced to 77 seats, down from 103 won in the 2006 election. They captured only 26.2 per cent of the popular vote’ - the second worst showing the party has seen since 1867. Dion also stated that ‘he never had a chance to establish his personal image with voters because of the Conservative ads depicting him as a "dithering egghead."’ (wikipedia)

As we come to the end of chapter three of the gospel of John, we will also find John the Baptist’s last words - in context of his last appearance in this gospel - and these words are certainly of much more importance in light of eternity. John the Baptist issues his FINAL CALL to faith in Jesus Christ. In today’s passage we find that on the ‘coat tails’ of the preceding section we have the issue of faith in Christ. Nicodemus believed that he was going to heaven because of his outward morality and religion, but in reality he was not. Therefore Jesus called Nicodemus to believe in Him as God’s Son for eternal life. It is solely upon faith in Christ that brings one to be ‘born again’ - to be born from above. True spiritual transformation comes through a vital and active relationship with Jesus - and in the context of the gospel, in light of the Baptist’s life - we are sobered by a FINAL CALL. Here is what our inspired text states:

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and [people] were coming and were being baptized-- 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him." 27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 "You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, `I am not the Christ,' but, `I have been sent ahead of Him.' 29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 "He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 "What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to [this], that God is true. 34 "For He whom God has sent speaks 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 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Today we will discover THE FINAL CALL to faithfulness. We will arrive at THE FINAL CALL to Christ as we look at:

The Final Stage Of Ministry v.22-26
The Final Witness for Christ v.27-30
The Final Warning v.31-36

THE FINAL STAGE OF MINISTRY v.22-26

V.22 - While Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus, He was in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover. The city of Jerusalem is in Judea, and now Jesus and His disciples go out of the urban area, and into the rural areas of this region. Jesus spent some time with His disciples fellow-shipping and teaching them, preparing them for ministry. They also begin to baptize the people who were responding to His message. It seems that Jesus is performing the baptisms, but it was His disciples - if we look ahead a little at chapter 4 verse 2 which states - (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were). So what took place was that Jesus was baptizing people through His disciples.

v.23-24 - At this same time frame, we find that John the Baptist was also doing the same. The Baptist performed his baptisms at a place named Aenon near Salim. This area of Judea has been lost to history, but from the text we do know that it was known for the abundance of water at that location. The impact of the Baptist’s ministry was great since there was a constant flow of people coming and were being baptized.

The ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist overlap, yet they had the same message. This message was focused on repentance - both called people to ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’ (Matt. 3:2 and 4:17). John called people to repentance in preparation for Jesus the Messiah; and Jesus called people to repent because heaven’s spiritual rule upon the hearts of believers was now a reality. Jesus picks up where John the Baptist’s ministry is coming to an end. All this takes place, as the author of this gospel - The Apostle John notes - before John the Baptist was thrown into prison. We know from the other gospels that the Baptist was put into prison - because the Baptist rebuked King Herod (Antipas) for his seduction and incestuous marriage to his niece, Herodias. In the end, through a wicked plot, Herod was obligated to murder John the Baptist by beheading him (Matt. 14:1-12; Mk. 6:14-29; Lk. 9:7-9).

v.25 - As John the Baptist’s ministry continued a problem arose. Though John’s ministry ran parallel to Jesus’ ministry, there was no conflict, but in the public’s eye there was. There was a certain unnamed Jew who debated with John’s disciples about purification - referring to ceremonial washing. The argument centered upon the purification ritual observed by the Jews. Ceremonial washing could refer to any of the Jewish purification rituals like the washing of hands, pots, cups, and pitchers. But in context of what is happening - it probably was a discussion over the value of Jesus’ and John’s baptism. Maybe the Jew was questioning the baptism’s value. Or maybe they were dealing with the issue of who’s baptism is more effective, because in the following verse - verse 26 …. Jesus’ success seems to come into the spotlight.

This is the first recorded dispute about baptism we have in Scripture. In Christian circles there seems to be an endless debate over the mode of baptism. The Presbyterians have sprinkling, the Baptist have immersion, and others usually practice one of the two, which are the primary practices. So what is the proper mode of baptism? Did you ever wonder about this? Have you ever taken a moment to think upon what the correct mode is? The answer lies in studying the Biblical use of the word baptize and baptism. These English words are transliterated from the Greek. The definition of these words means to dip, immerse, sink, or ablutions (religious ceremonial washing of the body). This briefly is how we derive our practice in this church, which is immersion (you can do more study on your own).

v.26 - states - And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him." - The disciples of John go to the Baptist. What is said from these disciples gives us a look at what was in their hearts. There was some confusion, and seeming jealousy. Perhaps they were remembering that it was John the Baptist who began this ministry of reconciliation by baptizing. They recalled that it was John that first testified about Jesus. It was he who had baptized Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17). But it seems that Jesus was now stealing the lime-light. There was such an extensive following that Jesus gained - that John’s disciples exaggerated Jesus’ ministry - all are coming to Him. This was in light of John’s dwindling ministry and following. So jealousies arose in John’s disciples. Jealousy is a temptation for all of us as we see others succeed. Yet John set for us a great example to emulate - he knew who his priority was - and the faithfulness to the Word, helped him to be unhindered in the temptation to jealousy. This is John the Baptist’s response to this temptation to jealousy - as we now look at:

THE FINAL WITNESS FOR CHRIST v.27-30

v.27 - All along John the Baptist knew his role that God had called him to be the forerunner to Christ. He submitted to God’s calling and fulfilled his ministry - this is how he kept away from jealousy. John knew that his ministry was going to be temporary and was to be eclipsed by Christ’s ministry, and he willingly let that happen. In obedience to Christ he pointed and led people to the Messiah, even if it meant that his own following was to dwindle. In his obedience to God’s will he found peace and not jealousy. He found joy and not frustration. This was John’s reply - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. Therefore he was thankful in all circumstances.

Yet, John’s disciples were dismayed that John would support his own followers to go to Jesus. John’s disciples missed the whole importance of this act of obedience. John totally demonstrates his humility, understanding, and trust in what God was doing. He knew that God was sovereignly in control of all these latest developments. The people following Jesus, were going to Him, because God drew them to His Son. As our church grows we will be faced with the same kind of temptation. There will be new ministries, and perhaps there will be more gifted people to lead them. So we must understand that as Christ providentially builds His church, we should allow Him to build. We should not be jealous of anyone else who is called to a ministry opportunity. Humble focus on God and His will, a focus on the abilities that God has called us to (and not beyond what He has called us to) helps us in the arena of jealousy.

v.28 - John emphatically explains his calling and role to this group that came to him- that they should know that John taught that he was not the Christ but only the one who would go before the Messiah. So it was natural that Jesus was to become more popular than himself - since John did his job faithfully.

v.29 - John furthers his point with an analogy from a wedding, and brings out the necessary attitude to be a servant of God. In the OT it was common that a wedding was used to picture God’s relationship with Israel (Is. 54:5; 62:4; Jer. 2:2, 3:20; Ezek. 16:8; Hos. 2:19). In John’s analogy the bride is representative of believing Israel. The bridegroom is Christ. John the Baptist is likened to the friend who attends the bridegroom. As John waits and points others to the Messiah - it is only when the anticipation is realized that John’s joy… has been made full. The friend was not the one who was important, but it was the one he associated with, that is the bridegroom.

John was not to be the center of attention, but Jesus was. In our day it is the same - when we attend a wedding our attention is not on the bridesmaids and groomsmen, it is on the bride and bridegroom. The real joy from the anticipation, does not come when the groomsmen are at the front of the church - or even when the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. The joy comes when the bridegroom takes his place and the bride enters into the church and enter into a covenant before God. With the entrance of Jesus Christ the Messiah, John realizes his joy. His faithful ministry is to end, and is completed with joy. A lesson to be learned for us is that Jesus is always to take first place, He is to be glorified.

v.30 - All of John the Baptist’s life was spent on being a servant to the Lord. He was born for this purpose as God called him to be the forerunner to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As a servant John was always focused on pleasing and exalting his master. And in verse 30 we have a summary statement of his life - He must increase, but I must decrease - in other words Jesus must become greater; and John the Baptist must become less. That is Jesus Christ, out of God’s will had to be exalted, to keep on growing in greatness; whereas John was to keep on decreasing in prominence as he faithfully discharged his calling to its completion. And this is what John the Baptist faithfully submitted to in obedience. The Baptist’s life was one of humble sacrifice.
Later on when John was imprisoned this is what Jesus said of John in the Gospel of Luke - I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (Lk. 7:28). What a statement of praise from Jesus. What about us? Are we faithful to Christ in everything? Do we seek to exalt Jesus throughout our entire life. When we appear before Christ in the future will he have a praise worthy statement for us about our service to Him as a Christian? Will Jesus find us faithful to the end?
Not only is the Baptist faithful to Christ up to and including THE FINAL STAGE OF MINISTRY, and even in his FINAL WITNESS FOR CHRIST, we find that our passage calls us to focus on faithfulness to Christ. We can be found faithful in Christ, if we take this last section of our study seriously…

THE FINAL WARNING v.31-36

v.31 - Here we begin a contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist. From the text we see that there is - He who comes from above and then there is the one who - is from the earth. Obviously the reference to the one from above is the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus is indeed above all, because He is God. Jesus has authority over His creation and us as His created ones - we are made in God’s image. Jesus’ pre-eminence is clearly brought out in this passage as it is stated twice, once at the beginning and again at the end of the verse that He is the One from above. On the other hand John the Baptist was from the earth. He was born from earthly origins, he had an earthly ministry, he was human.

v.32 - Jesus has come to earth, sent by God because He so loved the world (3:16). God does not desire to see those who reject Him perish, but He rather wants to see unbelievers allow themselves to be reconciled to Him. Yet Jesus’ testimony continues to be rejected by people. Even though Jesus gives us His witness as one that comes down from heaven, people allow themselves to be blinded to the reality. Jesus’ words are trustworthy, but people continue in unbelief. The words - no one receives His testimony - in verse 32 emphasize the reality that so many people reject Christ.

v.33 - But God does save people. God initiates salvation in people despite the overwhelming level of rejection and unbelief. Those whom God saves are able to have their eyes open to the truth and therefore become His witnesses. The Christian serves God by being living evidence that God is true. Through faith in Christ we are able to certify that God is true - He is true and reliable. We know that Christ is real, yet often we do not live lives which reflect this reality.
We come to church to worship, but when we are busy with work, school, personal enjoyments, our salvation gets push off to the side….we find it so simple to skip a Sunday here and there…we have trained our consciences in unrighteousness, and have no repentance. We know that Jesus is true and our salvation came at a great price, but we don’t really desire to grow in Him. We look at church, fellowship meetings, discipleship, teaching, ministry training, conferences, prayer meeting - and the like as an intrusion into our schedules. It all comes down to a me first attitude - the cross of Christ becomes willfully distant. Does your attitude before committing to spiritual growth say this - What can I get out of this? Does it meet my needs? But in fact we should be considering this…. Will Christ will be pleased by my participation and service. You will find that your needs will be met if you are faithful to making Christ your priority.

Too often, our salvation is in our heads (intellectual knowledge), and it does not translate into obedience to our Savior and Lord. Too many times it remains in the realm of head knowledge and we do not walk as we are truly saved. We certify that God is truthful, but if we are really truthful - if we honestly examine our gratitude, devotion and lifestyle as believers - we certify Him to be false. How can we be more alive to Christ today? What should I do as a believer saved by Christ? Is God certified true in my life? Am I a faithful ambassador for Christ? If I am to certify that God is true, that everything that Jesus witnesses to is a reality, then my life is called to respond to the upward call of Christ Jesus. How can I make Christ’s compassion for the lost known? For myself - if I stay in my comfortable office with my nose in my books, then how will people know that Christ is real, that the witness of the church is real?

Being alive to Christ is not always that easy. It has to take us out of our comfort zones. It calls us forward in life commitment to Christ. It has to wake us up away from self-dependence, and self centeredness. It calls us to risk - so that Christ must become greater - and we become less.
I have observed that this is the pattern of practice for those who are committed to Christ - those we consider spiritual giants. Ordinary people who live out their life with Christ truly as Lord and Saviour. These are the people in the church who are the most mature. They step out and act out in faithfulness, because they realize - that they have a great Saviour and a great salvation in Him. So with each act of faith they are rewarded with greater faithfulness - isn’t this part of the key to Christian maturity? If you find yourself struggling with sin, obedience to Christ, perhaps you could consider a deeper devotion to Christ - a selfless attitude towards desiring the things of His Kingdom. Make Jesus Christ who He is - Lord and Saviour.

v.34-35 - The basis for Christ’s authority lies in verse 34. It echoes what was stated back in verse 11, of this chapter. Christ’s authority is established because He is the one - whom God has sent. Jesus Christ is God’s divine revelation to us and He brings an authoritative message, because what Jesus states are the words of God. Jesus, without measure, is empowered by the Holy Spirit. This means that the Father has placed all authority, knowledge, and truth in Christ. Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God and there is nothing that Christ cannot do, that is true of His character.

This brings us back to what was laid out in chapter 1:1-18, that Jesus Christ is the only absolute and conclusive disclosure of God Himself - because Jesus Christ is God. As it states in this passage in verse 35 - The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. It is interesting to note that the tense of the word love - in the Greek (present), expresses that the Father’s love for the Son is ongoing, it is continuous - and God’s love for the Son is the reason why Jesus is empowered by the Spirit without measure.

v.36 - The whole of John’s life testimony comes down to this crucial statement - THE FINAL CALL - a statement which contrasts belief with unbelief. Look down at verse 36 - He who believes - if you have a pencil write on top of the word ‘believe,’ the words ‘continues to believe’ and put some brackets around it (Greek present tense) - He who believes in the Son has eternal life. This person by faith believes in the foundational truths about who Christ is and turns from his/her sins and embraces Christ for the forgiveness of sin, and then lives in submission and obedience of the Word of God.

Maybe your asking why does that matter? It matters because life lived apart from God is not a truly joyous life - it is a life which may bring temporal fulfillment, happiness - but not joy - but when reality hits - it is outweighed by God’s wrath against sin. It matters because if we are to find the purpose of our life, then we need God to inform us of what that is. Therefore it becomes imperative that we obey God’s loving command to humble ourselves before Christ and turn from sin and believe in the Son. It become paramount that we allow ourselves to resist being reconciled to God, by making a life changing response to the call to follow Him.

The person who believes in Christ - experiences in this life the privileges and blessings of eternal life. Look back at the words that I asked you to write above the word ‘believe’ in verse 36. The person who has eternal life possesses a belief that is a continuous pattern of his/her life. In the life which continues after physical death - he/she then will experience in its fullness - the sum total of God’s salvation - that is glorious sinless perfection in the ever-present fellowship of Christ.

Now this is the devastating contrast - the flip side of the coin - circle the word - ‘but’ in verse 36 - because this is where the all important contrast begins - but he who does not obey the Son will not see life. Once again take your pencils and write on top of the word ‘obey’ - these words - ‘does not continually obey’ (Greek present tense). This is important to understand because to disbelieve in the Son, Jesus Christ - is the same as not obeying Him. To believe in Christ is to obey Him. But those who continue to disobey and reject Christ as a life long continuous habitual pattern - a continued hardness of heart toward God and Christ - will not see life.

This life that we are talking about is the truest kind of life which all seek for, but few find and embrace. For this person, he/she will never be able to have a right relationship with their Creator. You will never know the joy of being forgiven for your sin. You will never know what true love is which comes from the Father. You will never experience faithfulness, joy and peace - yes you may feel happy, but that too will perish and in the end, leave you empty. Rejection of the Son is rejection of God, and the sinner lives under the present wrath of God - as verse 36 finishes off - but the wrath of God abides on him (you). The culmination of this wrath is eternal judgement - because God is a holy God, who hates sin, and will therefore bring sin and the sinner into judgement.

THE FINAL CALL of this passage is sobering. It is a call for all those who believe in Jesus Christ to faithfulness - to rejoice, praise and worship Him - because God has saved us from our sin, and no longer looks at us as sinners - but as His righteous children - heirs to eternal life and the riches of our heavenly inheritance. It also is a call for all those who reject Christ to obedience - to respond to God’s loving command to be back into a right relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ. It is a call to respond to God’s love by an abiding belief in the Son - by acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Lord and Saviour in Jesus Christ.

As we conclude - we do indeed have a wonderful Lord and Saviour who has died on the cross for our sins. God is true and He must increase, but I must decrease.

(For a full explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - click here - http://www.doihaveeternallife.blogspot.com/)
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