John 3:31-36 “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Today’s verses, as we go along looking at understanding each verse in an expository manner, finishes up John chapter 3. These are the words that John the Baptist spoke when people went to him almost trying to provoke jealousy and telling John that Jesus’s disciples were baptizing people and more people were following Him than John. John last said explained his purpose of preparing the way for Jesus the Messiah, not being the Messiah himself! In Verse 30 he explains plainly, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John was again trying to direct people’s eyes to Jesus, as we today ought to be doing! Too often, pride, and lust for attention and fame will sneakily cause many ministers to become jealous of others in the Body and they want more attention on themselves instead. John the Baptist made sure to rebuke such thoughts.

Let’s go through today’s verses, which now focus on the Lord Jesus. John the Baptist is continuing by explaining the difference between “He that cometh from above” and “he that is of the earth.” Jesus is the one who comes from above. Remember, Jesus is the earthly name given to the begotten Son of God, who is the Word of God, who IS God. He came from the Father, leaving the Throne in Heaven to come down here to make a way for us to be reconciled to God. John the Baptist is simply a man born normally. His origin is here on earth, whereas Jesus was in Heaven since the beginning (Not Jesus the man, but rather the Spirit in Him: God the Son, God the Word – John 1:1-14). John is explaining that Jesus is above All, including himself, but he himself is of the earth and can only speak of the things of the earth that he knows. The Words that Jesus will speak are not only above all, but show a way much higher than what we can see and know here on earth.

The second verse today, Verse 32, directly mentions that which Jesus speaks. John is explaining that what he himself says is earthly, what he has known as a man. However, much more important for the people to listen to more earnestly is what Jesus, who is from Heaven and is above all and greater than all. He warns that the words which Jesus speaks, aka His “Testimony” (testimony is what one testifies of, which for Jesus was the Gospel), will not be received by most people. This is a common understanding as we read the Word of God, that MANY end up walking the broad path that leads to death, but few walk the narrow road which leads to life eternal. We need to remember this when we speak the Truth of the Word of God to the world and the world doesn’t want to hear it. We’re tempted to be hurt, or discouraged, or even angry, when they don’t listen. But that has been forewarned from nearly the beginning of time, and we need to just take a breath and expect it and not let it stop us from speaking the Word to them and praying the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts to cause them to receive the Word. And as the next verse says, those who receive Jesus’ testimony has set in their heart that God is true. Those who come to Christ through the Gospel will KNOW beyond head knowledge, that He is True!

Next, we are told how God the Father has given to Jesus all things. The phrase “for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him” may confuse a few people, but what it means is that God the Father did not measure out the Spirit to Him, as in giving Him just a portion. Rather, He gave Him ALL. This is fortified by the next verse where it’s explained that the Father loves the Son and therefore gives all to Him. Later we’ll see Jesus reiterating the same thing when explaining that He does not reject anyone that comes to Him, in John 6:37-38 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”

The last verse in the chapter today reminds us of what Jesus Himself said in verses 16-21. Many people are concerned that they won’t make it to heaven if they drink, or if they use profanity, or if they murder or whatever other sins they’ve committed. But ultimately the sin that will keep someone out of heaven is the sin of rejecting Christ. Those who don’t come to Jesus, it’s not all these other miniscule things that will send them to hell. It’s that they reject the Only Way to get to heaven: Jesus. And often we forget to tell people about Jesus, because we focus on all these smaller things and people think they need to try cleaning themselves up before coming to Christ. This leads many souls to hell because they don’t realize they simply need to give their lives to Christ and watch HIM change them.

I hope and pray that your day is blessed. Please keep the body of Christ worldwide in your prayers as you read this. This year has been very hard and difficult for so many, and we need to hold each other in prayer, and we need to draw nigh to the Lord each and every day. May God Continue to bless, and keep you, and draw you closer to Him each day! I love you all, and keep you in prayer each day!

Love always in Christ,
Your friend always,
And brother,
Michael