In John 3 the form and eternal foundation of God’s acting in grace to man is laid. God loves and gives. But this is not enough. God’s compelling grace must be exercised. He goes forth and seeks in chapter 4. The Father seeks “true” worshippers, but before there can be this, there must be life.
In chapter 5 He quickens, gives new life, and in chapter 6 this “life” is fed with the “true bread from heaven,” which is Christ.
In chapter 7 the heart is filled with Christ—runs over, and flows out like a river to others.
In chapter 8 the soul is brought into the “perfect place of liberty.” “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free;” and not only free, but in chapter 9 the eyes are opened—fitted to walk through a world that is all in pitch darkness, and while so walking, in chapter 10, there is the Shepherd’s care and love over the sheep, even to the laying down of His life.
But if He dies in chapter 10, in chapter 11 He is the “resurrection and the life.” And on this new resurrection ground there is union. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (Chap, 12).
In chapter 13 we have the present ministry of Christ to, and for the believer. Christ is away in the new place, and the believer is united to Him there, so no uncleanness can be tolerated.
Chapter 14 is what the believer has got while Christ is away. “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,” the only power for witnessing for an absent Christ. This brings in responsibility, so in chapter 15 it is “fruit bearing” The result of all this brought out in chapter 16 is, the world and its prince are judged. The blessed and eternal result to the believer, hear from Christ’s own words: “Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” (Chap, 17) Reader, is this bright future yours: “with and like Jesus forever?”