The Gospel of John | The Witness of John the Baptist – John 1:19-34
Our lives declare the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ, who comes to save His people.
Having described the divinity of Jesus Christ in John 1:1-18, John moves to tell the story of the one who would proclaim the coming Messiah. John the Baptist (different from the John writing this account of the Gospel) always had a special connection to Jesus. From the priestly tribe of Levi, John the Baptist lept for joy from within the womb as Mary, now pregnant with Jesus, visiting Elizabeth. While Elizabeth would give birth first, John’s life would be a testament to the coming Messiah. Everything taught and proclaimed would be in an effort to pave the way in the hearts of mankind to receive Jesus Christ.
Thus, John’s preached and taught as one whose message differed from the normal teachings of the rabbis of the day, proclaiming the importance of submitting to the Messiah. During that time, the Israelites faced many threats, both physical threats as well as ideological threats. When they got word of someone teaching different from their standard, approved information, they quickly sent priests and Levites to determine what John taught. The semi-official fact finding delegate came asking John regarding his identity, authority, and the core of his message. Throughout the entire process, his answer never changed. John’s mission sought to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, the one the prophets pointed too, and His arrival as God incarnate. The time for silence among the Israelites has ended and the long awaited Messiah had come to return the people home.
Who Is John The Baptist
The Levi’s and priests approach John and immediately began to question him, asking who he was. John understood his message and their purpose and immediately clarified their true question responding that he is not the Messiah. The questions the Levi’s and priests asked only doubled down on what they suspected John might have been teaching. In asking if he is the prophet, they do not mean a prophet but the prophet that would be above all other prophets. The reference to Elijah came from their similarity in appears as wild, living in the wilderness, with a belt of leather. Yet, John understood that his message and baptism came from God. John’s identity was inconsequential compared to the subject of his message. John would lay down everything, including his reputation, and even his career for the sake of Jesus Christ. John identities the source of his mission and message originated from God whose mission and message outshined anything John might proclaim.
As John refers to himself as the voice of one calling in the desert, he quotes a well known prophesy from the passage of Isaiah 40. This passage represents the coming of peace from the Messiah. Conflict would be no more and division would cease to occur. While this initial passage referenced the return of the Israelites from exile, the message of John remains remarkably similar. John heralds the coming of the Messiah who would obliterate division and bring peace through the shedding of His blood. All things would come to return from the exile that our sin created since the days of Adam and Eve.
John never claims to be the savior, the messiah or the one prophet that would stand above all other prophets. He understands his place within the story of creation. John is the messenger, preparing the way for the coming Christ. For those following Christ and putting our faith in Him, we the same mission. We herald the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Christ promises His return to bring His people home. Our task remains to share the story of the coming Savior and show people that their exile is over when they put their faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, throughout this process, we must understand our place in the story of creation. The Gospel is not about us. We are not the focus. Everything displays the glory of God throughout all creation. Even our salvation is an act of grace from a Holy God who paves a way for our redemption and salvation. John’s role was highly important to all who heard his message but John understood that the one who is to come after him is far greater than anything he could deliver.
- What is the message of John of the Baptist?
The Lamb of God
In verses 29-34, Jesus arrives before John who immediately proclaims the name above all names. John immediately declares the supremacy of Christ’s work for the salvation of mankind. Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Every other sacrifice required under the temple and levitical law ultimately could not produce the lasting salvation. Through the Old Covenant, the sacrifice for the sins of people needed to be completed by the high priest annually. The sacrifice did not last. Jesus, though, would provide a different sacrifice that would have eternal significance and a lasting effect. John’s proclamation demonstrated an understand of Jesus’ purpose that could only have been Good speaking through him. Most people understood that Jesus would come to save His people, or at the very least to serve as a political agent who would unify the nation of Israel. Christ, though, would do so much more. By coming the sacrificial lamb that God provided, He upheld justice by making mankind righteous through the works of Christ on the cross, and dispensed grace for those who put their trust in Him.
Furthermore, John acknowledged the insufficiency of the baptism that John provided. John, while sent by God to baptize the people, knew that the Baptism that would come from Jesus would be a baptism of the Spirit. The nuances of John’s statement regarding the Spirit descends and remains gives the impression that the Spirit flows out of Jesus Christ to other. We receive the Holy Spirit, but Jesus Christ dispenses the Holy Spirit. This same sentiment echos as Jesus tells His disciples in John 14:15-17 that when Jesus goes to the Father, He will send the Spirit. The Spirit’s primary function serves to act as the hand of creation as an extension of the word of God. With Jesus sending the Spirit, the fullness of the Trinity works together for the salvation of mankind. The Father sent the Son, taking the form of man, who in turn sends the Spirit to reside in the hearts of man.
John the Baptist could not be considered subtle by any means. He declared a bold message in the face of opposition, answering questions head on. For all his boldness, his message never waivered. Jesus Christ is the Messiah who will save mankind. Our lives should run parallel to John’s. Every breath we have is a gift from God that we should use to proclaim the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ. We do this, not to earn the love of God, but because He freely gives it to all who believe. People need the Gospel. As people of faith, we are privileged to serve as the voice of God. Throughout, we must never become cocky in our position, but to remain humble in our position knowing that we are recipients of that same grace we proclaim to others. We are not worthy to approach God. But, in His graciousness, He makes us righteous and sets us to stand before him.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the priests and Levis were so concerned with the message Jesus was teaching?
- What obstacles does John face to proclaiming the message he is called to proclaim?
- Why do we struggle with seeking to put our own glory at the forefront of everyone’s attention?
- Many Christians wrestle with believing they are saved and being terrified to publicly proclaim their faith. Why do you think this is?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?
- How has Christ forgiven you? Where have you experienced God’s forgiveness personally? In what ways does this empower you to proclaim the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ?
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