Ascending & Descending (John 3:13)

Introduction

Okay, commit to memory every word you just sang in that last song. You got it? Okay, good. We’ll come back to it later at the end of the lesson. Refer to it briefly since you’ll be able to recall it all at that time. Since that’ll be such a short time from now. I realized this morning that, no, I realized this evening when I came into back to make some last-second changes to the slides that I did not put on the computer the latest version of the slide. And so I made some quick changes that I could recall, but I think there’s one, at least one, that is not there. So if I stumble at some point over that, I’ll let you know where it is. And I know at least most of what I did this week has been captured in this presentation of slides.

Now, having said that, because of that little error, this could be less than what I intended. And if that happens, it’s always nice to have someone to blame. And so, tonight, the person in the audience who gets the blame is Owen. That shocked you, didn’t it?

Aaron says no. Owen asked me a question last Lord’s day that I thought was quite unusual for somebody of his age, which shows that he is quite the intellectual as a young man, and challenged me in regard to a verse that I really had not spent much time thinking about. And as I was studying it this week, it sort of evolved into some additional thoughts that I wanted to share. And it’s from a perhaps familiar text in John chapter 3, but let me set the stage for this anyway, because we’re going to look at what’s happening contextually in John chapter 3. Of course, we have the ruler of the Jews who assisted in the burial of Jesus’ body, Nicodemus, and the discussion that unfolds about what one must do to enter the kingdom.

Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. And so that’s very pertinent to you and me, because without that rebirth, sinners cleansed by the blood of Christ, we cannot be kingdom citizens. Unless, if and only if one is born of the water and the spirit, shall he or she enter into the kingdom of heaven. And so it’s this whole discussion that was somewhat over Nicodemus’ head. And Jesus has to tell him in verse 10, a very compelling question when he says, Are you the teacher of Israel? I mean, you’re one of the religious elite in this culture, being one of the Sanhedrin. Are you a teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Whatever Jesus was talking about in regard to being born of water in the Spirit, there are certainly some Old Testament texts relate to those concepts and what was coming under the Messiah’s reign.

But that really didn’t pertain to Owen’s question. Owen’s question instead relates to a verse that follows. Verse 13. And no one has ascended into heaven. But he who descended from heaven. Even the Son of Man. Now, there’s something that is pretty clear in this verse, according to Jesus, that he’s the one who fits this bill. A son of man is a reference to himself. We can spend some time talking about that. It’s a messianic term. The disciples understood when Jesus said Son of Man, that Jesus was referring to himself, when he said, Whom do you say the Son of Man is? And they automatically knew that this was a Messianic concept and that Jesus was relating it to himself. And so Jesus, in his discussion with Nicodemus, saying, I fit this bill.

And he uniquely does so because he says, no one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven. Oh, we get that. That’s Jesus, Emmanuel taking on human flesh, descending, and there’s a lot of passages that talk about the nature of that descent to the form of a servant, made in the likeness of man. Even a descent that involved death by crucifixion, Philippians chapter 2, 8 and following. But this part, this first part, and we know we know it’s uniquely Jesus. But this first part, no one has ascended into heaven. Now that’s a bit puzzling. Because when Jesus makes this statement, he has not yet ascended. We know he’s going to ascend. We know how that story unfolds. And so, what is the meaning of that first part?

No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended. And so, is there an issue here with ascension? Because remember, he fits the bill exclusively, as we saw in John 3 and verse 13. And this was Owen’s very apt question. Were there not others who had ascended into heaven? Now, Jesus, whatever he’s saying in John 3.13, he’s saying, I uniquely fit the bill. But what about Enoch? So, you know, I throw this in. I thought immediately we could throw Christina a bone. Because Enoch is one of her favorite Bible characters. Enoch walked with God, Genesis 5 and verse 24, and he was not, for God took him. And was there not something like this in regard to the great prophet Elijah? Again, he had done his research and asked that question.

And I love the story in 2 Kings chapter 2, where there are 50 men of the sons of the prophets who stand opposite of the Jordan while Elijah and Elisha basically say their goodbyes. And Elijah takes his mantle and strikes the waters. And they were divided. You know, of all the water dividings that go on in the scripture, you might not think of this one first and foremost, the mantle striking, and they crossed over on dry ground. These are the things God does routinely in the Old Testament. When they had crossed over, Elijah says to Elisha, What shall I do for you before I am taken from you? What an incredible moment this is. And then Elisha’s great response, which commences really some great things that Elisha is about to do.

And the story of the kings and their prophets, I want a double portion of your spirit. If I could be like you, double. What a request. He says, You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if not, it shall not be so. And it came about while they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared chariot of fire and horses of fire, which separated the two men. Very similar to the chariots and horses of fire that will be seen in the spiritual realm around Elisha very shortly. In 2 Kings chapter 6. And Elisha saw it and cried out. What did he see? Because at the end of verse 11 says, Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.

And so he cries out, My Father, my father, the chariots of Israel and his horsemen. And he saw him no more. Well, that was an ascension of sorts. I mean, being caught up by a whirlwind, that’s pretty extraordinary. And then some might want to add Moses to this list. Because as he goes up on the mount to overlook the promised land, he would not be allowed to enter. But the reason why he gets two question marks instead of one is because in Deuteronomy chapter 34 it says he died. Okay, so, and then there was the dispute that Jude talks about in regard to the body of Moses and where it was. So I’m not really sure Moses belongs in the same category in terms of ascension, though his unique passing, as Elijah and Enoch.

So is there some sense in which before the ascension of Jesus that Elijah and Enoch ascended into heaven, much like Jesus did. Perhaps there’s something with the term ascension. Perhaps we can distinguish between Elijah, Enoch, and Jesus, because ascension means something else with Jesus.

Perhaps there’s something unique about Jesus’ ascension that says, oh no, this is only one of a kind. And Enoch and Elijah are different. So we can conclude that from John. Well, okay. Jesus’ ascension is unique in many respects. I mean, it’s the result of him being raised from the dead. And so it is unique from Enoch and Elijah in regard to that, but just the con this just the term ascension. If we’re going to look into a dictionary definition of the term ascension, it’s just the idea of going up. And there’s not a big deal made about that in the scripture. It’s just the idea of, for example, the harvest moon this week, which is an interesting phenomenon in God’s creation, by the way. You know when the moon just gets really big and orange?

I could get used to an orange moon, couldn’t you? It looks like a big pumpkin in the sky. And it’s right there on the horizon. It looks so massive, it’s bigger than that clock that I’m looking at. I mean, it’s it’s huge. I’m the only one that gets to look at the clock. Not telling you to look at the clock. So we’ve got this, okay, where am I going with this? Okay, so the pumpkin goes up, and as it goes up into the sky, it gets smaller. The moon does an interesting trick there in terms of size, doesn’t it? But I’m pretty sure, because we live in such an enlightened age, that the moon does not shrink literally. I think it has something to do with our perspective.

We inquired with Tom Tuesday night, and he did not wax philosophical at all about the decreasing size of the moon. I thought he would have all the answers. But if you have all the answers for that as we leave, good luck with that, we’ll talk as we leave tonight. But I was talking about ascension, things that go up. And so, if you want to argue something about the term here, that it’s something about the term ascension, I would tell you Elijah and Enoch ascended. They went up in some sense. In the heaven, even. As Jesus did. Did something happen to their bodies along the way? Did they shed their carcass in a quick death as their spirits went to God who gave them? I don’t know.

The Bible doesn’t tell me. I do know they exited this earth in somewhat of a unique fashion that none of us would probably argue with if it could be us. So I don’t think the argument is there. Let me tell you what I think this is about. Getting to Owen’s very good question. Back to our verse. And no one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven. One of the things you always need to do when you encounter a puzzling statement in the scripture is to see what surrounds it. And I think it’s very critical in this case. Look at the previous verse. Remember, he’s just chided Nicodemus for not having as much knowledge as he should have. And he said previously in the previous verse if I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Now he’s been talking about spiritual things, but he’s talking about spiritual things that Nicodemus had access to in the old covenant, which might seem to be suggesting that Jesus has more to tell than has already been told. And that illumination for Nicodemus could be even more if he would listen to Jesus. And so this idea of if I tell you heavenly things, I believe has a bearing on verse 13. And here’s the point.

1. Jesus Is Uniquely Qualified to Speak of Heavenly Things

But Jesus has a unique knowledge by way of comparison. And so I want to make these observations about John 3 that Jesus is uniquely qualified to speak of heavenly things. And I’ll tell you what we’re going to go with this word unique. And why am I saying unique? Everything’s about unique tonight. Because he said, no one except the Son of Man. And so there’s something unique about Jesus in regard to speaking of heavenly things, and it’s because of his presence with and connection to the source of those heavenly things. This is further explanation of Jesus’ true identity, which I believe is the basis for the statements of verses 12 and 13. Notice when Nicodemus, let’s go back to the context, in verse 2, what did he say when he comes to Jesus by night?

He says, Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher. For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with them. Well, let’s let’s clasp with Nicodemus. Let’s pat him on the back. At least he was willing to acknowledge that Jesus was doing the works of God and not attributing to the devil like so many like him did. We know that you are a teacher from come from God. Yes, but Nicodemus. Do you know who I really am? And why is Jesus uniquely qualified to speak of heavenly things? I believe there’s something going on in verse 13 that I want you to get. If this is not a cross reference in your Bible at John 3 and verse 13, it needs to be a proverb.

A section of the Proverbs, actually, not written by Solomon, but written by Hager. Proverbs chapter 30. And that just tells me there’s some extraordinary things going on in the Old Testament that I think sometimes we struggle to appreciate. This unknown person, other than the fact that it is name, is listed there in Proverbs 30.

When did he live? Where did he live? We don’t know anything about Hagar. But he said these words in Proverbs chapter 30. In a very humble way, he acknowledges little o me.

Now, just because we don’t allow our kids to say that word that begins with S, I went with the American Standard Version here, when it says, and I sort of like this, surely I am more brutish than any man. Okay, it’s this idea of not being in the know. Okay. Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man, neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One. Now he was not completely without access to spiritual knowledge that came from heaven. But he’s saying, as a source of such things, I’m not your guy. Okay. At least not naturally without inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And then he says this look at this. Lo and behold, look at these questions.

Who has ascended into heaven and decent? You know, that would solve the knowledge problem, wouldn’t it? If you could go up to heaven, have a conversation with the Creator, and come back and reveal what you know. Or who, and if you could do something like that, who has gathered the wind in his fist? You know, I can’t capture the wind with my hand. Who has wrapped the waters in his garments? I’m not sure what all is involved with that, but as I stand on the seashore, the waters look much larger than me. Okay. Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name? Or his son’s name? Surely you know. And again, this is the point. He’s acknowledging how limited his knowledge is and how dependent that he is.

And then he says this. He’s directing people to the source of the knowledge that they need. He says, every word of God is tested. He is a shield for those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words. Still very applicable and good instruction. Do not add to his words lest he reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

So, what’s the point Eger is making? You want something reliable and solid and trustworthy and dependable for your life. I’m not the guy. God’s word is what you need.

2. Nicodemus, Know Who I Am

And so as I look at Proverbs chapter 30 and the initial question of verse 4, is it possible that Jesus is referring to Proverbs chapter 30 and verse 4? Let’s see, that’s a mistake. I knew we were going to get to that. Just don’t even look at what follows that yet. It’s not there. Okay. Look at the second point. Give you a preview to points 3 and 4 with which the lesson will conclude. We are making progress. We are nearly done. Look only at this. Nicodemus. I am the one who has been in the presence of God and has come to earth to reveal heavenly things in a way that have never been revealed before. Know who I am. Because what follows? And as Moses, look at John 3 14, and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes may in him have eternal life.

Understand, Nicodemus, what I’m about to do, and the significance of what I’ve just told you about being born of the water, and the Spirit will become all the more clear as I draw men to me for salvation. For God so loved the world. And he said this in the presence of Nicodemus, this great statement. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. He gave his only begotten Son. He descended from heaven. That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Oh, we’ve never heard this before. The Son of Man reveals God’s eternal plan in living color to us. Now, where am I going with that? Go back to John chapter 1. In John chapter 1, how does this narrative begins?

This really relates to everything that’s going on in the Gospel of John. Jesus was the word, and the word was with God. And the word was God. And in him was life, and his life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. Nicodemus, is that going to be you? And to him who believes, he gave the right to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on his name. John 1 and verse 12. And I always tell you, we could take all the rest of the John narrative. As he presents Jesus as one in whom you can trust and believe for salvation.

3. Jesus, the Word, Uniquely Redeems and Salvages

And so in this passage in John chapter 3, what we’re learning is that Jesus. Okay, you can look at that now. Jesus, the word uniquely, there’s our word, no one like him. Jesus, the word uniquely redeems and salvages and fills my soul. No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended, even the Son of Man. And the practical points for all of this, as you’ve waded through this technical explanation of a challenging verse, is when sin is on our account.

We need redemption. We use that term a lot, redeem. What does it, what does it mean? There are so many angles to the word redemption. You know, we’ve heard the concept of buying back. That’s just one angle of the term. It’s the idea of recovering ownership. It is the paying off of a debt. It’s to serve as compensation for. It is a conversion of something. It is to restore the honor, worth, and reputation of something. And in regard to our redemption and salvaging, all of those things are in play. Without Jesus, our lives are misspent and less than what God designed for them to be. This is not just about, well, you know, I have a choice to make here. Some of the preacher said it’s the best choice.

4. The Choice Between Meaningless and Meaningful

He said that this morning, and I’m just not sure if I’m willing to make it, at least not yet. And there’s some other things I’d like to do with my life that aren’t really consistent with the Bible. And we go through all these reasonings, but this is what it’s about. It’s about choosing what is ultimate in regard to meaning. It’s about meaningless or meaningful. That’s the choice of being Christian. And I know the rigors of righteousness as we talk about that. There’s a struggle to do that. There’s work that has to be done. And sometimes we look at that and we say, I don’t want to expend all of the energy and to engage in the fight. It’s a very real battle. I’m not sure if I want to do that.

But it is the choice between meaningless and meaningful. It doesn’t mean your life without Christ does nothing in the world. You might help a bunch of people. Short term. Short term. You serve in the kingdom. You can help people in an eternal measure.

And while there is meaning in the other, there is ultimate meaning in serving in the kingdom. Jesus uniquely redeems and salvages. I don’t want my life to count for trash and rubbish. And so it is if I’m lost. What will it have meant? Why was I here? I think everybody’s concerned about their legacy. What did my life mean? Certainly you need to be thinking about it. I don’t know when you’re young, you’re thinking about a lot of different things. How am I going to pay the bills? What job am I going to have? Where am I going to live? There’s so many thoughts that cross your mind. But as you get older, I think you need to start thinking about what does my life mean?

Why have I been here? How will I be remembered? And more importantly, how will heaven regard it? And it’s a choice between meaningless and meaningful. And unless I identify in God’s way with the purpose of all history, I will have failed. And it doesn’t matter how many initials I have outside my name.

Conclusion

And thus, I compel you. As Jesus was compelling Nicodemus.

Your understanding of who I am means everything. There has been none like me. There will be no one like me. You need to place your confidence and hope in the Son of Man. And you need to give him all that you have to give. There’s a song that says that in the chorus. But I don’t like it as much as I like this one that we’ve already sang tonight. I was going to lead it, but I opted out said Ed you lead it. Saints lift your voices, though dark your days. Upward the calling, brighter the light, soaring like eagles on wings of flight. That’s what those associated with the Son of Man can do. Some will grow weary. Sin they’ll pursue. Oh, the discouragement of such choice.

Casualties on the battlefield. Jesus is uniquely deserving of our greatest affections, yet so many other things that seem so important to us.

All the cool things our phones can do. Man, it’s hard to just let them go for 30 minutes when Lakeland said, put them up. Those things can never do for you. What Jesus can and what he will ultimately do for you.

The problem is we want our gratification right now. And the scriptures are telling us we must patiently wait on the Lord, and the reward will be worth it all. Are you prepared to give him all that you have to give? Lift your voices first by confessing the name of Jesus before men. And then confess him all your days as you live your life for him. We seem to encourage someone’s response tonight. Let’s stand and see him come.