8. John 3:22-36 Believe in Jesus, Receive Eternal Life

March 9th, 2025
by Jongseung Park

1. SCRIPTURE

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.” 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.

2. OBSERVATIONS :

What does this passage reveal about God?

God gives His Spirit without limit to Jesus (v. 34). Jesus is fully empowered by God to speak God’s truth.
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands (v. 35). Jesus has complete authority over everything.
God’s wrath remains on those who reject the Son, but those who believe in Jesus receive eternal life (v. 36).

What does this passage reveal about human nature?

People can have different reactions to Jesus, just like John’s disciples had an issue with Jesus’ growing popularity (v. 26). Some are competitive or jealous, while others recognize Jesus as the source of eternal life.
There are those who will reject Jesus' testimony and God’s truth, choosing to remain in their own understanding (v. 32-33).
Belief in Jesus is the key to receiving eternal life (v. 36). Rejecting Him means missing out on this gift and staying under God's wrath.

What did this passage mean to its original audience?
In the Old Testament, purification rituals, like washing with water, symbolized spiritual cleansing but couldn’t fully remove sin (Leviticus 11-15, Exodus 29:4). John the Baptist introduced water baptism as a sign of repentance, preparing for the Messiah (Luke 3:3). However, true purification comes not from water, but from faith in Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29). This fulfills the Old Testament promise of a new spiritual cleansing, as seen in Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God promises to cleanse and renew hearts. Jesus, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 3:34), offers the ultimate purification through the Spirit.

In verse 31, John speaks about Jesus being from above and being above all. This is a direct connection to the Old Testament prophetic visions of the Messiah’s divine nature. In Isaiah 9:6, the Messiah is described as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These titles highlight the divine identity of the one to come—Jesus is not merely a prophet, but the Son of God, sent from heaven to accomplish God’s redemptive plan.

3. APPLICATION:

How does this passage impact my attitude?

The more I understand that Jesus has eternal life in His hands and that believing in Him gives me life, the more I realize how much I should love Him. Jesus isn’t just someone I turn to in times of need; He is the source of my eternal life and joy. My affection for Him should grow daily as I recognize how He holds my future and my salvation in His hands. I want to cherish my relationship with Jesus more deeply. I also need to approach Him with humility and reverence. If Jesus holds all power and authority, then I need to stop trying to control things on my own and surrender to His will. This challenges me to trust in His plan, especially in moments of uncertainty or frustration.

4. PRAYER:

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being the giver of eternal life. I am so grateful for Your love and for the gift of salvation. Please help me to allow You to increase in my life, to love You more deeply, and to live in a way that reflects Your importance. "I confess that sometimes I get caught up in my own needs and desires, but today I choose to make You the center of my heart. May my life reflect Your glory, and may I find true joy in You.

In Your name, I pray. Amen.

Posted in The Gospel of John

Jongseung Park

2 Comments

Add Your Comment

Anne Vaughn - March 9th, 2025 at 2:52pm

One of my observations is that John the Baptist stated that he had to become less and less while Jesus had to become greater and greater. We are Christ's witnesses and that is true for us too. Jesus will become reflected in our lives more and more as we learn to die daily to ourselves.

nMay the LORD help us to shed our earthlyness everyday.

Jongseung Park - March 10th, 2025 at 9:09am

Yes, so true! As we die to ourselves daily, we make more room for Jesus to shine through us. Praying for more of Him and less of me every day!