John 1:19-34 (2)
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The Faithful Witness
Introduction: v.19a The Testimony of John the Baptist
We are introduced to John the Baptist again.
This is the “Testimony of John”. In this narrative, John the Apostle talks about how John the Baptist, testified who Jesus is.
The Jews (Pharisees) sent Levites priest and Levites from Jerusalem to find out the identity of John the Baptist.
Problem/Conflict: v.19a-22 - The Jewish leaders seek to identify the Baptizer.
They asked, “Who are you?” They are curios who is this man baptizing in the river Jordan because many people were coming to Him. John knew that these people are curious to know if he is the Christ - the Messiah, the Savior of Israel.
John gave an honest answer - “I am not the Christ.”
The narrator said “he confessed and did not deny, but confessed.”
John did not claim to be the Christ (confessed 2x). Unfortunately, now many people claims to be the savior (but they are not!).
They asked again - are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet?
- Malachi had predicted that Elijah would return before Messiah’s coming Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.”
- The Prophet was expected by the Jews - Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.”
Rising Action: vv.23-24 - John revealed his identity.
John answered from the Scriptures quoting Isaiah. John knew exactly his identity and purpose!
Climax: v.25-28 - The Jewish leaders questioned John’s authority to Baptize.
Why are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?
So they have this expectation that only the Christ and Elijah, and the Prophet has the right to baptize. So they are saying, “Since you have no official title, why are you baptizing?”
Jews practiced baptism as a traditional act of purification and the initiation of converts to Judaism long before the coming of the Messiah. Leviticus 16:4 tells us, “He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.”
The Levite priests were commanded to perform a symbolic cleansing in water before and after performing their priestly duties.
Baptism in water is also for Gentiles who wants to convert to Judaism.
John clarified that his baptism in water is nothing compared to the One who will come to baptize (with the Holy Spirit) that even the lowly act of untying His sandals (duty of servants) - I am unworthy!
Resolution: vv.29-31 - John’s revelation of the identity of the Christ.
Here, John made a grand revelation of the identity of the Christ when he saw Jesus coming to Him: This is his testimony!
Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (v.29)
John may have in mind The Passover lamb in Exodus (Ex. 12) and Isaiah’s mention of the Messiah’s likeness to a lamb - Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”
John saw Jesus as the sacrificial Victim who was to die for the sin of the world Isaiah 53:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”
Sin of the world, not only Israel? because the Gentiles are included.
“Where is the Lamb?”—the cry of the Old Testament. (Genesis 22:7 “7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
• “Behold the Lamb”—the hope of the New Testament. (Johanine literature - 35x repeated “Lamb”)
• “Worthy is the Lamb!”—the summation of eternity. (Revelation 5:11–14 “11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Jesus is glorious and eternal (v.30). John saw himself lower than Jesus and rightly so - He is of Higher rank than I (glorious), He existed before me (eternal).
“that He might be manifested to Israel” - John came to prepare the way of the Lord, through Baptism of repentance (his identity and purpose)
Conclusion: vv.32-34 - John’s source of knowledge about the Christ.
John testified to his personal experience: I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and remained upon Jesus. Isaiah 11:2 In Old Testament times the Spirit came upon certain people at specific times for specific tasks, so by saying that the Spirit remained on Jesus the evangelist may be underscoring Jesus’ superiority.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
John was told by the Father. God the Father sent John the Baptist and told Him how he can identify the Christ - the one whom the Spirit descends and remained. John had a communion with God while in the dessert and communicated to Him the identity of the Messiah.
John was able to identify the Messiah because of his communion with the Father, and he listened well and believed the Father.
John testified that Jesus is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.
John as a witness have seen and testified that Jesus is the Son of God (cf. v.14 , the only begotten “unique” from the Father, Divine)
John faithfully witnessed to the Israelites who the Messiah is because He believes that only Jesus can save them from their greatest problem - SIN! And their greatest need in life here on earth is Jesus!
People Needs to Know Who Jesus Is: Be a Faithful Witness!
People Needs to Know Who Jesus Is: Be a Faithful Witness!
A faithful witness is a witness who must TELL the truth.
The 4 Characteristics of a faithful witness from the passage we studied:
T - Truthfully proclaim Christ
T - Truthfully proclaim Christ
People always look for a savior, even today and they look in the wrong places and in the wrong things and person…we must tell them that only Jesus can save them from their depression, discontent, distress, and above all from eternal damnation.
Application:
A. Live in the truth (you will be believable if you do this)
B. Tell the whole truth about the love and justice of God (Gospel)
C. Share your testimony.
E - Embrace your role as a witness
E - Embrace your role as a witness
You are God’s child and you are sent to proclaim the good news. Life is not about you anymore. Like John, you must know you identity and role in life.
John said, “Jesus is greater than me!: (vv.23, 27,30,31). I came to prepare the way of the Lord! To tell the people about the Messiah!
A good witness understands his status and embraces his role 24/7, not just when there is an evangelistic event.
“The simple fact that a Christian is on earth and not in heaven, is proof that there is something for him here to do; and if he is not doing it, the neglect shows either that he is not yet a Christian or that he is a Christian who grieves Christ.” - William Arnot (Scottish Pastor)
Application:
A. Pray for an opportunity to witness in your workplace or community.
B. Commit to speaking up when God gives you the opportunity you prayed for.
Transition: Sadly, many Christians today are not good witnesses. They think of themselves as prince and princess and so they don’t pray about witnessing and they don’t labor to witness for God.
L - Labor with full commitment
L - Labor with full commitment
Laboring for the Gospel takes time and effort, and even suffering due to opposition. John could have give in to the pressure of the Jewish authorities but He did not. He continued to labor until Jesus was proclaimed to nation and until God called him home. A good witness is labors and stays loyal until the end.
Application: (show your commitment by being…)
A. Continue to labor even when you are opposed.
B. Continue to labor even when it seems that no one is listening.
L - Look upon Jesus
L - Look upon Jesus
Laboring for the Gospel without being grounded and connected to Jesus will not last long and it will not bear any fruit. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Abide in me, and you will bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).
John was a fruitful /effective witness because he closely walk with God and he listens to God who sent him (v.33)
A good witness must have a firm belief and love for Jesus. It means, you and I must look upon the face of Jesus day after day!
A. Protect your daily communion with Jesus. (a time of reading and meditation)
B. Trust Jesus to transform the heart of the people whom we shared the gospel to.
Conclusion:
Your job and privilege as a witness is to TELL the World who the Savior is.
Truthfully Proclaim Christ, Embrace your role as a witness, Labor with full commitment, Look upon Jesus.
Leave the result to God because God will do the rest!
