Here, John the Baptist sets out to prove the supremacy of Jesus to his followers, and to show how vastly superior Christ is to himself.
John bases these claims on a few key points, so let’s break them down.
First, John tells us that Jesus is superior because he has come “from above,” “from heaven.”
The distinction here is that Jesus is “from above”; John is “from the earth.”
Second, Jesus is superior to John because of what he speaks about. Since Jesus is “from above,” He speaks of the “heavenly things” which He has seen and heard in heaven.
In contrast, John is “from the earth,” and thus he speaks about “earthly things.”
In spite of this, in verse 32, John points out the truth that even though Jesus speaks divine truth, “no one accepts his testimony” (verse 32). …show more content…
Jesus speaks for God with full authority;
Jesus speaks as God. He alone has the Spirit without limit. He is the One who speaks as empowered by the Holy Spirit.
You may remember that this is the very thing which set Jesus apart from all the others in the land. Back in John 1:33-34, we heard John say, “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John is not to have the spotlight, it’s meant for Jesus. No one knows that better than John, and this is what he tells his disciples.
Fourth, Jesus has been given the Father’s full authority and is uniquely loved by the Father (verse 35).
The Father loves the Son, and all things have been placed under His authority. You simply cannot go any higher than this.
Ultimately we ask, who is John compared to the Son? Why would his disciples seek to defend him against Jesus, when he proclaims to be Christ’s servant?
Finally, The destiny of every human being rests on
John bases these claims on a few key points, so let’s break them down.
First, John tells us that Jesus is superior because he has come “from above,” “from heaven.”
The distinction here is that Jesus is “from above”; John is “from the earth.”
Second, Jesus is superior to John because of what he speaks about. Since Jesus is “from above,” He speaks of the “heavenly things” which He has seen and heard in heaven.
In contrast, John is “from the earth,” and thus he speaks about “earthly things.”
In spite of this, in verse 32, John points out the truth that even though Jesus speaks divine truth, “no one accepts his testimony” (verse 32). …show more content…
Jesus speaks for God with full authority;
Jesus speaks as God. He alone has the Spirit without limit. He is the One who speaks as empowered by the Holy Spirit.
You may remember that this is the very thing which set Jesus apart from all the others in the land. Back in John 1:33-34, we heard John say, “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John is not to have the spotlight, it’s meant for Jesus. No one knows that better than John, and this is what he tells his disciples.
Fourth, Jesus has been given the Father’s full authority and is uniquely loved by the Father (verse 35).
The Father loves the Son, and all things have been placed under His authority. You simply cannot go any higher than this.
Ultimately we ask, who is John compared to the Son? Why would his disciples seek to defend him against Jesus, when he proclaims to be Christ’s servant?
Finally, The destiny of every human being rests on