Power Trip: How John 3 Shows the Real-Life Denial of Self
This isn't me offering my critique on the passage or the sermon layout, because I think the passage is gold. But let's be honest with ourselves here, if Luke 9:23 is the only passage where the Church gives discipleship its proper focus and attention, we have a serious problem, right? Well, those were the thoughts that flew around in my mind when I was in the Word where the Lord revealed an all-important passage in the practice of discipleship and another passage where someone is trying to figure it out, and the best part about it is that the chapter has one of, if not the most popular verse in the entire Bible. So, let's go to John chapter 3 and figure all this out.
John chapter 3 contains two different situations with two different people on two opposite sides of the first century Jewish cultural spectrum. We have a Pharisee and a prophet. The Pharisee being Nicodemus, one of the pious teachers in the ruling class of Jews, the highest of the high. The prophet being John the Baptist, a man who spends his day baptizing in the Jordan and scouring the Jewish wilderness for food with no bed to sleep in or roof above his head.
Denial of Authority
Nicodemus had some of his cultural influence and following taken by the man named Jesus. Instead of accusing him of blasphemy and treason in the public square or questioning his motives and labeling him as a worker of the devil during his times of teaching, he goes to Jesus late in the night asking him about his abilities and authority. He questions Jesus not in the spirit of debate but out of genuine curiosity. Nicodemus took the first steps on the road to discipleship. He went straight to the source.
The religious leader had to admit that his pretenses and understanding of Jesus were wrong. He had to put his original biases aside and be willing, even as a man of high status and influence, to lay down the title for a moment and find out why Jesus was doing what he was doing and who he was doing it for. His genuine curiosity led to a fruitful dialogue between the two most unlikely candidates.
Let’s skip ahead to the passage with John the Baptist. How could the beloved wild man, cousin of Jesus, possibly have any sort of connection to Nicodemus? The two men had different upbringings, different forms of education, different livelihoods, and at this point of their lives, they were at different points on the road of discipleship. Well, John had been questioned by an outside source in conversation with a group of his disciples involving Jesus. He asked John what he thought of the carpenter from Nazareth’s sudden spike in popularity. This is what brings the connection with Nicodemus. Both men had some of their cultural influence and following taken away by Jesus.
John was the top traveling prophet on the countryside. He had disciples, baptisms, and every other thing that would come from a successful ministry. Any sort of decline would likely result in worry and stress. The crowds began to flock to Jesus instead of John after the ceremonious pronouncement of his ministry. The man who questioned John was pointing out that everyone followed the man that John had baptized. At this moment, John provides a prime example of what it takes to live as a disciple of Jesus and a citizen of the Kingdom of God—he gave up power. He sacrificed.
Denial of Power
The American culture was not founded upon Christian discipleship. We can tell ourselves time and time again that it was founded on Christian principles, but let's not kid ourselves, at this point in time, those "Christian principles" haven't been showing themselves as of late. What I'm trying to get at is the American ideal is to pick yourself up by your boot straps, get to work, finish the job, go home to your wife and two kids, eventually retire, and live happily ever after. I don't know about you, but I don't see sacrificing power anywhere in that American dream.
This isn't a dig at America specifically. No culture can pride itself in its ability to sacrifice power, because no culture in history ever has. The world tells us that we are progressing, and yet injustices never seem to leave. Totalitarian regimes are still in power across the world. People stand on opposite sides of the political, social, or socioeconomic spectrum with no plans on meeting in the middle without someone caving to their plans. To put it simply, we love power, but we have no right to have it. This is why John's response is so important.
John responds to the questioning man saying more or less, “You’re not looking at the man Isaiah had prophesied would come all those centuries ago. I’m not the guy. The Messiah is over there baptizing in Salem.” When power and influence began to deteriorate at the coming of Christ, John willingly accepted it and submitted to the authority of Jesus. He realized his role in the kingdom. John was a guy who would prepare the way for the guy. How incredible is that? John was willing to be the best man in the wedding and not the groom. He knew that the joy of “The Big Day” to come was that he was going to be able to play a part, not be the main character.
We already pointed out that Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions willing to admit where he was wrong and did not fully understand. Jesus responded to the Pharisee in a way that ties perfectly with the final section of John chapter 3. Jesus showed Nicodemus that on the road of discipleship this world is not our home. The physical world, the earthly realm is not where we find fulfillment. The power inherited from worldly sources will eventually run out.
Daily Denial, Future Glory
Nicodemus did not understand that Jesus was not coming to earth to establish a political theocracy in the name of the Kingdom of God, nor would he rise as a triumphant military leader who would sack Rome in the name of Israel. The goals of Jesus were to bring renewal so that those who believe in him will live forever in the heavenly realm in service to him. He was focused on accomplishing the will of his father bringing heaven to earth, establishing the Kingdom of God and ushering in the end of the age.
This is why John willingly submitted and why we should willingly submit to Jesus at every moment, but none of it comes without confronting the Word of God and allowing the truth to illuminate our hearts and minds. The One from Heaven, the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Risen Christ ushers in newness of life. It is this newness of life that begins the road of discipleship.
The joy of discipleship is sacrificing power and influence and giving it to the One who is able to bear the load. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. As the final verse of John chapter 3 points out, the gift of following Jesus is eternal life. But at the same time, making the decision for salvation begins the road of discipleship which requires the daily submission of authority to the Risen King. So yes, we raise the banner of Luke 9:23, and we call for the daily denial of self, but God’s word offers so much more like what we have seen here in John chapter 3.
The gospel presents a counter cultural take on life provided by a savior unlike any other. The One from Heaven is the same man who lived, died, and rose again. As his disciples, we should follow him in daily submission in pursuit of daily restoration. As we grow in grace and communion with him, we welcome the glory of God in us and share it with everyone we meet in the hope of his second coming.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
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