John 3:31-36 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth… I. THE DIVINENESS OF CHRIST'S TESTIMONY (ver. 32). II. THE UNBELIEF WITH WHICH CHRIST'S TESTIMONY WAS RECEIVED (ver., 82). "All men come to Him! Why no man believes Him!" The emotions aroused by John's preaching of repentance and the Lamb of God had passed off; for were not His disciples setting Him up against His Lord? And it took Christ's chosen ones three years to receive it. How differently a man counts who loves and adores Jesus from a mere hero worshipper. John would have not large crowds merely going after Jesus, but genuine believers. III. THE APPRECIATION OF THOSE WHO DID BELIEVE IN ANY DEGREE (ver. 33), like Andrew and John (John 1:40). This is a fine and simple account of faith in its nature. Some document is produced having legal authority behind it. Those who, believing in the King as true, will sign their names to it become entitled to certain privileges. Men go forward and append their signatures, realizing in so doing, "The privilege is mine." But here is one who cannot write. He goes forward, seal in hand, and stamps it down, which is as good as signing. That is faith, stamping down one seal, with decisiveness, to that gospel text, saying as we do it, "That is true." IV. THE DIVINENESS OF CHRIST'S TEACHING REAFFIRMED (ver. 34). "For" is emphatic. The reception and attestation of what Jesus spake was the reception and attestation of what God spake. V. ANTICIPATION OF THE WORDS OF CHRIST HIMSELF (ver. 35; cf. Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; Hebrews 2:8). VI. WEAL OR WOE (ver. 36). 1. True faith is faith in the true thing. "On the Son" — atonement, resurrection, and glory were yet to come Christ Himself the object of faith. 2. The wrath of God cannot abide in a being who has ceased to be. The Baptist warned men before to "flee from the wrath to come." 3. Our relation or non-relation to Jesus Christ determines where we shall spend our eternity. (A. B. Grosart, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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