The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic WorldНамуна

When some friends left our church, I took it way too personally. Even though I knew they had prayed about it and had good reasons to leave - it stung. They had attended the small group led by my husband and me. Were we not enough? What did they find more appealing about their new church? Why hadn’t they shared their concerns about our church with us? Others in the group wanted to “process” our mutual friends’ exit. The temptation for gossip and self-protection presented itself often over the coming days and weeks.

I’ve heard it said that there is no pain like church pain. When any sort of ministry conflict arises, self-protection is my default. I want to defend my position, shield my reputation, and rally people to my side. However, John the Baptist showed us another way. He revealed that peace comes in following God’s plan.

In college, I wrote a paper on C. S. Lewis’s novel Till We Have Faces. The main character, Orual, struggles with insecurity and jealousy, which causes her to hate the supernatural. My thesis for the paper has stuck with me for over three decades: “Sometimes we tell lies about ourselves that cause us to tell lies about God.”

John the Baptist gave an honest assessment. He didn’t discount his ministry or purpose; he leaned into his high calling from God to prepare the way for Jesus. For a season, this meant greater visibility and recognition. However, he trusted God’s plan—realizing the time had come for a decrease in his baptisms, preaching, and popularity. Commentator D. A. Carson said, “Both John and Jesus were given their roles by heaven (v. 27), and John was entirely content with his.”13 When we see ourselves clearly, we will be content with God’s plan for our lives and express genuine joy for the success of others.

John the Baptist’s words in John 3:22­­–30 remind me that I have blind spots. I need to see myself clearly so I can see God more clearly. This means I take time to reflect, ask the Lord to reveal weaknesses, and permit trusted friends to speak corrective words when needed.

Scholars are uncertain who is speaking the words in verses 31-36. It could be Jesus, John the Gospel writer, or John the Baptist. I tend to see this as John the Baptist. I believe he kept the chatter vertical by pointing to Jesus.

Rather than strategize attractional ways to win back the crowd, John the Baptist made Jesus the focus of discussion. His heart was for his followers to be followers of Jesus.

John the Baptist highlighted the eternal plan above earthly priorities. This resonates strongly with me because I constantly get caught up in the stuff of earth—emails to answer, projects to finish, dishes to wash.

Those things matter, but they aren’t primary. What’s challenging is helping friends caught up in temporal pursuits. I want to keep the chatter vertical to help them see beyond horizontal implications, but there’s a tension here. How do I simultaneously listen to people’s concerns and validate feelings while pointing them toward God without seeming preachy or hyper-spiritual?

John’s mention of the Holy Spirit in verse 34 reminds me that inviting the Spirit to guide us is another practical way to seek God-connection over self-protection in sticky situations.

I experience more peace when I bring frustrations to the Lord. He also helps me work through emotions as I pray so I can respond rather than react to conflict. When our small group friends left the church, a wise advisor reminded my husband that we weren’t competing for sheep. Instead, we ask the Lord to use us to seek and save the lost. That was a good encouragement to keep our focus on Jesus.

A sincere belief in God’s Son connects us to the Father. Jesus is the plan. We can savor peace when we savor Jesus.

Today, we focused on this truth: Seek God-connection over self-protection.

For more of this study by Melissa Spoelstra, visit lifeway.com/gospelofjohn

13. D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991), 211.