Jesus Is Above All

Lesson #59

With this lesson we begin the last section of chapter 3, which includes John 3:31 – 36. In this lesson we will sharpen our focus on the uniqueness of Jesus. We clearly see this in verse 31: “The one who comes from above is superior to all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to all” (NET). In the context of chapter 3, the one who comes from above and who comes from heaven is Jesus. This verse makes it very clear that Jesus is not from the earth as all others are. This makes Jesus unique as he is the only one from heaven above.

The one who is from earth includes everyone else. Those from the earth belong to the earth and speak about earthly things because they don’t know any better. We have learned in previous lessons that each one of us is born of the flesh. It is a natural birth and so we are from the earth. We are born spiritually dead without supernatural life and unless we are born of the Spirit we will enter eternal judgment at physical death.

Paul defines two categories of people in 1 Corinthians 15:47 – 49: ⁴⁷ “The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸ As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly” (NASB). The first man is Adam and the second man is Jesus. Each one of us begins life on earth bearing the image of Adam and enslaved to sin. All who are born spiritually bear the image of Jesus and inherit his righteous condition. Jesus who comes from heaven comes as the head of the new human race called the family of God.

Look again at John3:31: “The one who comes from above is superior to all.” How is this so? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14 ESV). Jesus is superior because he is the Son of God. Jesus came to provide salvation for those who come to him in belief. Out of the mass of humanity that belongs to the earth, God the Father is selecting out those who he gives as a bride to Jesus. This family of God is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and becomes one in union with Jesus Christ. The more I study this and understand this the greater is my desire to go to heaven and really experience this union with Christ. If you really understand what we are and have in Jesus Christ it will change how you live and what you long to experience in heaven. Most western Christians today don’t have a longing for heaven that affects their life now because they really don’t understand who or what they are in Jesus. Unfortunately western Christianity is becoming more of a religion than it is a vital relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. We are becoming more and more like the group described in Matthew 7: 21 – 23.

In our next lesson we will move on to John 3:32 – 34.

Prayer

Father, it is so clear that without Jesus Christ there is no hope. Humans would continue to produce offspring, suffer through physical life, and die to enter an eternity under the wrath of God because of their sin. Jesus and only Jesus is superior and able to save those who come to him. Father, how can I ever thank you for my salvation?