“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done through God.”
John 3:21 (NIV)
I learned something new this morning while studying John 3. Some interpreters believe Jesus’ words end at verse 15, meaning verses 16–21 might actually be John’s reflection on what Jesus said—not Jesus speaking directly. If that’s true, the most well-known verse in Scripture, John 3:16, could have come from John himself. That doesn’t make it any less inspired; it shows how powerfully God can speak through a person. God didn’t just use John to record His Word—He used him to explain His heart.
That insight gives even more weight to verses 14–15, where Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” He was pointing back to Numbers 21, when Israel’s sin brought judgment, but God provided a way of rescue. Those who looked to the bronze serpent were healed. Jesus was telling us, Look to Me. Not to religion, not to rules, not to yourself—look to the One who was lifted up. He didn’t come to condemn the world; the world was already condemned. He came to save it.
When I think about the generosity of God in verse 16, it overwhelms me. The same God who created the mountains, the oceans, the sunrise, the crisp fall air, and every blessing in my life—my wife, my kids, my very breath—gave His only Son for me. The One who had already given me more than I could ever deserve didn’t even spare His Son. That’s the kind of love that should stop us in our tracks.
Then John closes by explaining that those who live by the truth step into the light—not to show off, but to reveal that everything good in their lives has been done through God. We can’t produce anything of eternal value apart from Him. When we live in Christ, even the fruit we bear is His life being given back to others through us. He’s the main character, the author, and the source of it all.