November 1, 2010
Jesus = Joy
John 3:22-36
Ian Daniels
Central Truth
I need to focus less on the material things of this world and put ALL my focus in my Savior, no matter the distractions.
Key Verse | John 3:29–30
"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. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:29-30)
John 3:22-36
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 1 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters 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 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Dive Deeper | John 3:22-36
I look back on my life and see so many times when I put other things ahead of my relationship of Christ. Those things were sports, gadgets, or even my wife. When I think back to meeting Audrey for the first time, I remember wanting to do whatever it required to make her happy. When she was happy, I was happy.
Although non-believers may not disagree with this pursuit of happiness, the truth is that it ultimately is not fulfilling. Nothing should ever come ahead of Jesus. He should be the focus of our conversations and daily lives. It is not just saying you know who Jesus is. Rather it is about having a personal relationship with Him and making Him the focus of your life.
In verse 29 we can see the result of putting all our focus on Jesus. John describes Jesus as the Bridegroom and himself as the friend of the Bridegroom. Through hearing Him and rejoicing at His voice, John says his joy is complete.
Reading through this verse and focusing on how it can be applied today helped me realize that putting my focus on Christ and listening to what He speaks through His Word enable me to love my wife better. How better to testify to the influence of Christ in our lives? If we put Jesus first, we will notice that we are not relying on material things to please us. Joy comes from telling others about our Lord and from putting Him in his rightful place: First.
I encourage you to take a step back and examine what things you may be putting ahead of Christ today. How could these things change for the better when Christ is number one in your life?
Discussion Questions
1. What do you put first in your daily life?
2. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus?
3. What is your next step to put Jesus ahead of all things?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did John’s disciples tell him in verse 26? What do you think was bothering them? How did John respond to his disciples? What did he say his main purpose was (verse 30)?
2. What are ways that you can become less so that Jesus can become greater?