Teen Life Application Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 7
JOHN 3
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not to judge the world, but to save the world
through him.
18
“There is no judgment against anyone
who believes in him. But anyone who does
not believe in him has already been judged
for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
19
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s
light came into the world, but people loved the
darkness more than the light, for their actions
were evil. 20All who do evil hate the light and
refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be
exposed. 21But those who do what is right
come to the light so others can see that they
are doing what God wants.*”
JOHN THE BAPTIST EXALTS JESUS 22Then
Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went
JOHN
THE BAPTIST
into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some
time with them there, baptizing people.
23
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was
plenty of water there; and people kept coming
to him for baptism. 24(This was before John was
thrown into prison.) 25A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew* over
ceremonial cleansing. 26So John’s disciples
came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you
met on the other side of the Jordan River, the
one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him
instead of coming to us.”
27
John replied, “No one can receive anything
unless God gives it from heaven. 28You your3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing. 3:25 Some
manuscripts read some Jews.
PERSONALITY PROFILE
MAYBE YOU HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE whom you would consider odd. Judging by today’s standards, John the Baptist would be called . . . well . . . odd.
He wore unusual clothes, ate strange food, and preached an unusual
message.
John really wasn’t interested in how “unique” he was or whether or not
people judged him based on his appearance. He was more concerned
about his unique role: to tell the world that the Savior was on his way. John
was totally committed to this purpose.
This wild-looking man stood face-to-face with people and told them to
change their ways. He knew that the best way to get ready for the Savior was
to be deeply sorry for their sins.
What’s more, John didn’t try to monopolize the spotlight once Jesus
arrived. When some of his disciples complained that Jesus seemed more
popular than John, John replied, “He must become greater and greater, and
I must become less and less” (John 3:30).
John’s message still applies today. We also need to prepare for the
Savior’s arrival in our lives (through the Holy Spirit) by first admitting that
we need a Savior. Once we admit that need, we can choose to allow Jesus
to become “greater and greater” in our lives—to be the one who calls the
shots.
Today, we still need to hear John’s favorite word—repent! If you don’t
know what it means, you may not have done it. Repenting means that you
are not only deeply sorry for your sinfulness but are also serious in wanting
God’s help to live his way. Until you have repented, you won’t experience
God’s forgiveness or the strength he offers to live a life of obedience. Repentance may be the most important thing you think about today.
UPS:
• The God-appointed messenger who announced
the arrival of Jesus
• A preacher who encouraged people to make
things right with God
• A fearless confronter
• Known for his remarkable
lifestyle
• Uncompromising
BOTTOM LINE: God doesn’t guarantee an easy or safe life to those who
serve him.
Doing what God desires is the greatest possible life investment.
Standing for the truth might make you feel alone. But you aren’t really
alone—God is with you.
KEY VERSE: Matt 11:11
John’s story is told in all four Gospels. His message and arrival are predicted in Isaiah
40:3 and Malachi 4:5-6. He also is mentioned in Acts 1:5, 22; 10:37; 11:16; 13:24-25;
18:25; 19:3-4.
DOWNS:
• Was imprisoned and
beheaded
• Faced doubts about who
Jesus was
STATS:
• Where: Judea
• Occupation: Prophet
• Relatives: Zechariah
(father); Elizabeth
(mother); Jesus (distant
cousin perhaps—see Luke
1:36)
• Contemporaries: Herod,
Herodias
