John Devotional | Week 7 | Oct 24-28

Read John 3:22-36. 

• What was the concern of John’s disciples in verse 26?
• How does John respond in verses 27 to 30? What does the tone of his response tell us about what his disciples were thinking when they brought this concern to his attention?
• What does John’s reaction reveal about his character?
• What does John’s statement in verse 27 say about God’s sovereignty? Does he leave any room for questioning it?

Pray today in confession, repenting of the times where we have sought to increase ourselves above others and above God. Do you have an accurate view of who God is? Remember that when John says “He must increase”, he means that we must have an accurate understanding of His greatness!

Read John 3:22-36 again, focusing on verses 31 to 36.

• In verse 31, what is John saying about God’s authority? Is it bounded in any way? How does verse 35 refine your understanding of God’s authority? (Keep in mind John 20:31 – the purpose for which John is writing this gospel account!)
• Verses 32 and 33 seem like they could be contradictory – how do you make sense of them? What can move someone from not receiving the testimony to doing so (think about Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus that we went over last week).
• What does verse 36 say about the result of belief in and obedience to the Son of God? 

If you are a Christian, pray today in thanksgiving that God has set His grace upon you such that you have received the testimony of what Jesus has seen and heard. If you are not yet a Christian, we invite you to pray to ask God to remove whatever obstacles that are keeping you from accepting the truth about Jesus.

Read John 3:22-36 again. Remember that John’s purpose in writing this gospel account is to demonstrate to you that Jesus is the Son of God, and that by believing, you have life in His name.

• Look at verse 28 and then read Malachi 3:1 (the “I” that is speaking in this verse is the LORD). Who is John saying Jesus is?
• What is the importance of John the Baptist using wedding imagery in verse 29? Look up the following Scriptures.  Who is the husband or bridegroom in these texts?
  • Isaiah 62:4-5
  • Hosea 2:16-20
• John’s disciples were likely knowledgeable about the Jewish Scriptures, so when John calls Jesus the bridegroom, what would they understand that John is saying about Jesus’ identity? 

Pray today in joyful anticipation for the return of Christ and the wedding feast that His church will celebrate with Him!

Read John 3:22-36 again, focusing specifically on verses 34 to 36.

• From what we see in verse 34, how can we- be sure that Jesus utters the very words of God. What has the Father provided the Son with absolute access to?
• Verse 35 says that the Father has given all things into the Son’s hand. What has been given to Jesus according to the following verses? 
  • Colossians 1:15-20
  • Hebrews 1:1-4
• Jesus, the one and only begotten Son of God, is sovereign ruler of the entire universe. Take a moment to contemplate the magnitude of this Biblical claim! 

Pray today in supplication to the God who is able to freely give His Holy Spirit. Pray that you are able to discern the Spirit’s movement and call on your life.

Verse 36 presents two alternatives – believe in the Son and receive eternal life, or do not obey the Son and receive the wrath of God.

• • Have you believed in Jesus as the only way to eternal life? Are you obeying Him? If yes, then pray in grateful rejoicing for the incredible saving work that He has done in your life. If no, then consider the testimony that is given in this passage and receive Him as Lord and Saviour!
  • This text is clear: those who do not obey the Son shall not see life,and the wrath of God remains on [them] (v 36) Spend time in prayer for those in your life who have not yet received and accepted the testimony of Jesus, the Son of God.