John 1:19-34
Q.1. What questions did the religious leaders ask John the Baptizer? How did John respond? –(Jn.1:19-23)
It is obvious from John’s answer that the leaders were trying to discover if he was the long-promised Messiah or perhaps the prophet Elijah who had been translated to Heaven and was to come at the Endtimes (Mal.4:5-6). Some thirty years earlier some Magi had come from the east heralding the birth of the King of the Jews (Mt.2:1-2). Consequently, there was an expectation of the coming Messiah and, as the leaders of Israel, it was their responsibility to identify Him. When pressed, John denied he was the Messiah but quoted Isaiah 40:3 suggesting he was chosen to herald the Lord’s coming – I AM A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS – MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD … (Jn.1:23 c.f. Isa.40:5).
Q.2. How great is this One John came to announce? What do we learn from John? – (Jn.1:20-30)
Jesus was infinitely greater than John and he was baptizing people in readiness for His coming. John understood that Jesus was indeed – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn.1:29 & 36). Luke in his Gospel makes it clear that John was conceived before Jesus (Lk.1:24-45). Yet John testified to the priests and Levites – This is He on behalf of whom I said, After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ (Jn.1:30). As the apostle John had written, Jesus pre-existed all of humanity and came as God’s appointed Sacrificial Lamb to pay the price for us sinners (c.f. Jn.1:1-2). Pet.1:20-21).
Q.3. How did John recognize the unique identity of Jesus? What unique testimony did John bear about Jesus? – (Jn.1:31-34)
All the Gospel writers report the same. At the baptism of Jesus the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and remained upon Him (Jn.1:32) and the voice of the Father spoke from Heaven and declared – ‘You are My beloved Son … in You I am well-pleased’ (Mk.1:11 c.f. Mt.3:17; Lk.3:22). John concluded – 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me,He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God (Jn.1:33-34). As a prophet of God this is a special revelation (c.f. Mt.11:9-10; 2