Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

John 3:22-36 - All about Jesus

 

John 3:22-36 - All about Jesus

I came to Christ later in life, or maybe it’s better to say I did not grow up as a Christ-follower. I was 21 when I found Jesus, and my eyes were opened to a radically different life, a life that is captured by v36 and John 10:10. 

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

For 21 years, I was chasing the things of this world, consistently feeling empty and void of purpose and meaning no matter how big my bank account was. I look back on that time now, and see these verses above in living color, this time in my life was ridden with the thief, stealing my life and leading me towards destruction. This was for me, God’s wrath remaining on me. Or in other translations it says abides and hanging over me. God desires me to have a life, and have it abundantly...and Jesus was the way. Everything points to Jesus, and it is ALL ABOUT JESUS. My eyes, heart, and mind were not open to this until my life was in the tank, near rock bottom, and I just really had nowhere else to look. I do not fully comprehend God’s wrath remaining or abiding, but I remember feeling lost, alone, empty, and yearning for something more. There had to be something else, something more that I was missing. This decision and adjustment in my life was over 25 years ago now, and wow, what a radical change of trajectory. Everything I enjoy today, the fruit and blessing of my marriage, my kids, my work, my friends, everything goes back to following Jesus, a radical new way of life. 

It is easy to read these verses and take them to the end of life and see this as an entry into heaven. That may be true, but I think there is so much more Jesus wants for us, so much more God has in store for us. Reread this, Jesus came that you may have life, and have in abundantly. But we get so distracted here on earth, walking through our day, and this is not anything new. 

“An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We read in v25 John’s disciples are arguing over ceremonial washing. We do not know the details of what they were arguing about, but we can make a few connections and assumptions that take us to these arguments were more than likely around some petty things. And at the same time, the Son of God is literally on the other side of the Jordan River. These “disciples” arguing over petty religious stuff and Jesus, the Son of God is in front of them, and they do not see it. What do John’s disciples see? 

“They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John’s disciples only see that Jesus is taking all the people; Jesus is pulling the people and attention away from them. This speaks of pride, ego, and idolatry. No wonder John the Baptist closes his speech to them with this;

“He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, back to the close of this chapter;

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I see clearly how John could be bringing light on God’s wrath remaining or abiding on these disciples. They were missing it, they were focused on all the wrong things...and Jesus was right in front of them. They were missing full life, a life that Jesus offered abundantly. Let’s not lose the life that Jesus has set before us here on earth, the abundance that is afforded to us now. Jesus is right across the river, right before our eyes, do we see Him? Are we going to choose to follow Him and walk with Him each and every day? I know I am so thankful that over 25 years ago, I chose to make this radical shift, to follow Jesus, and I would have never predicted I would be what I am today. Thank you, Lord! 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch