John - Week 7

Our Appointed Work 

READ 

John 3:26-28 

26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” 27 John replied, “God in heaven appoints each man’s work. 28 My work is to prepare the way for that man so that everyone will go to him. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him—that is all.”  

The disciples of John the Baptist were concerned that others were going to Jesus. That did not trouble John. Jealousy among Christian leaders was a great problem in that day and it still continues. John the Baptist knew where he fit in God’s plan, and that primarily was to point others to Jesus. John accepted what God had appointed him to do without wanting to take the place of Jesus in the minds of others. 

REFLECT 

Spend some time in prayer for other believers who have different gifts than you and thank the Lord for the ministry they have. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 that refers to the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to Christ-followers. Think about each gift. Which gift most closely aligns with what you are doing? 

 Greater and Less 

READ 

John 3:29-30 

29 “The crowds will naturally go to the main attraction—the bride will go where the bridegroom is! A bridegroom’s friends rejoice with him. I am the Bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” 

Verse 29 refers to believers in Christ as the “bride” and Jesus as the “bridegroom.” John saw himself only as a friend of the bridegroom, not the one who should be the center of attention. One of the most difficult things for some Christ-followers to do is rejoice with those who rejoice. John rejoiced that the one whose coming he announced was now the focus of attention. 

REFLECT 

Think of a fellow believer who was honored recently. What were your thoughts then? 

RESPOND 

Think of a believer who did not receive the honor you think was deserved. What will you do to encourage the individual? Talk with a fellow Christian about encouraging such people. 

Greater Than Anyone Else 

READ 

John 3:31-34 

31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.” 

Observe how John the Baptist witnessed concerning Jesus. He emphasized that Jesus is greater than anyone else because of the truth He declares as He tells what He “has seen and heard.” But then John entered the sad note, “how few believe what he tells them.” Those who believe Him, however, agree that God is true because Jesus spoke “God’s words.” The heavenly Father has given Jesus “the Spirit without limit.” 

REFLECT 

Earlier you were asked to write the names of those for whom you are praying to share about Jesus. Are you asking God to open their hearts to the truth? 

RESPOND 

Write some notes about what you learn from the way John the Baptist told about Jesus and how it relates to your life. 

The Son of God 

READ 

John 3:35-36 

35 “The Father loves this man because he is his Son, and God has given him everything there is. 36 And all who trust him—God’s Son—to save them have eternal life; those who don’t believe and obey him shall never see heaven, but the wrath of God remains upon them.”  

This passage explains who is saved from condemnation for eternity and who is not. All who trust in Jesus are saved forever; all who do not trust in Him are not saved. Instead, the “wrath of God remains on them.” This indicates that because of sin the only way to be saved from God’s wrath is to trust in Jesus as Savior. This is a way to tell others that God loves them and sent His Son to die on the cross for them. Because of His death and resurrection anyone can be saved forever by trusting in Him. 

REFLECT 

Have you told someone about being grateful for what God has done for you? If not, ask someone for the opportunity to share the most important thing in your life. 

RESPOND 

Have you memorized John 3:16 that was mentioned earlier? If not, work on it now. If you have memorized it, work now on memorizing John 3:36. Ask a friend to join you in doing this. 

Return to Galilee 

READ 

John 4:1-3 

1 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.   

Notice that Jesus Himself did not baptize individuals. Some believers take pride in who baptized them, but no one could claim that Jesus baptized them. His disciples did the baptizing. In the time of Jesus, Palestine was divided into different regions. Working from the south to the north on a map, the land divisions were Judea, Samaria and Galilee. Judea was the main Jewish religious area and Jerusalem was its capital. Galilee had more Gentiles. This was the area where Jesus grew up with Mary and Joseph. Knowing that Galilee was north of Samaria and about how the Jews thought of Samaria helps one to understand what follows in the fourth chapter of John.  

REFLECT 

As you read the gospel accounts, take note of where the location is that the action is occurring. Have you been aware of this? 

RESPOND 

Have you spent time looking at a map of Palestine in the time of Jesus? If not, search in the back of your Bible or search on the Internet where you will likely find such a map.