John 3:31-36 – The supremacy of Jesus

In John 3:31-36, the author made an emphasis on the person, works, status, accomplishment, and the relationship Jesus has to God.  Just a comparison between Jesus and John would easily reveal that one is from heaven above and the other from earth. Take note that John the Baptist said in John 3:30 that He, Jesus, must become greater while he, John, must become lesser.  So now in verses 31-32, the reason is provided. Jesus came from above and He could give witness to what He personally saw, heard and experience in heaven whereas John spoke with earthly limitation. For John could only speak about the new birth by calling people to repentance, only Christ Jesus through His Spirit could bring about regeneration.

Here we see an emphasis of Christ’s pre-existence. And He came to tell His creation of what He had seen and heard. Unfortunately the people did not accept His testimony. We must not take the two words “no one” in verse 32 to mean that not a person accepted Him. It is intended to be a hyperbole, an exaggeration to prove a point. It is by way of saying that very few accepted Him. We all know that many did not accept what He said at first until His resurrection. However, notice John’s emphasis here: Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. This is by way of saying that to acknowledge Jesus and accept Him, is to acknowledge and accept God, and to deny Him is to deny God.

Unlike the others who spoke for God, Jesus operated with the Spirit without measure. He functioned with the fullness of the Spirit without any limitation. Verse 35 tells us why. He was given the Spirit without limit. The Father loves Jesus the Son and had placed all authority and power in His hand. So in a sober way this chapter closes with these words, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Those who believe and acknowledge Christ is given life. Those who do not will experience the wrath of God. This does not mean that God is against the person, but that He is intolerable of the evil that remain in unbelievers. It is obvious that the lives of those who refuse to believe are always bent toward sinful activities and rebellion toward God. This is intolerable to God. But to make a reverse from this way of existence, one must turn to trust in Jesus, the Son of God.  

For us believers, aren’t we glad we’ve come into a personal experience of Jesus Christ in our life, and had made Him our Lord and Saviour? Aren’t we glad to be walking obediently in the light of His revelation? As we continue to do so, we will definitely shine brighter for Him!