Week 4 - Chapter 1:19-34

a. Verses 19-28 “Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” Are you the Prophet?” He answered “No.” Finally they said “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied “I am the voice of the one crying in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.” Now some of the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Here is where the narrative of Jesus’ ministry begins. The first 18 verses deal with the larger concepts of Jesus and the author clearly intends to show that Jesus is the Word (logos) of God, which means that He is the creative power, reason, and Son of God. While the first part of the book is somewhat theological and philosophical in nature, the rest of the book is the narrative and story of Jesus’ life. The author is very careful to insert a timeline in the narrative in a way no other gospel does. The first week is actually detailed day by day (day six is omitted) in the first two chapters.

These passages are about John the Baptist, who is actually related to Jesus. I am not sure exactly how they are related, but Luke 1:36 clearly states that Mary and Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist) are related. In fact, the angel that appeared to Mary told her that Elizabeth would have a child, even though she was said to be barren. I don’t know how important this fact is, but it is interesting to know.

The Daily Study Bible – The Gospel of John by William Barclay states that if we read John carefully from this point to verse 2:11, we get a clear picture of the first week of Jesus’ ministry. This was a big week. The Pharisees took notice and felt that they needed to go out to the desert and visit John the Baptist and see what everyone was buzzing about. The priests (John the Baptist was a priest, since he was a descendent of Aaron), the Pharisees, and the Sanhedrin all sent some folks to talk to John. This was partly due to the fact that he was something of a celebrity at the time and many people were going to see him. He actually had a large following that believed that he was the Christ. He clearly disputes this idea here.

The Daily Study Bible – The Gospel of John by William Barclay says that the Gospel of John is two things. First, it is the story of God in Jesus Christ and second it is about the rejection of Jesus. An interesting thing about this gospel is that the Greek word for Jews (loudaioi ) occurs over seventy times and each the context is in opposition to Jesus. This gospel is as much about the rejection of Jesus as anything. Another way to put it is that is a story about love pitted against rejection and warning.

John the Baptist was what we should all be. He pointed to the Lord and helped others get their houses in order to receive Him. Those that listened to John either rejected his message, took it on board, or thought that John was something more than he claimed to be. His humble clothes and his desire to be forgotten only brought attention to him. He was quick to direct attention to Jesus.

This is interesting about baptism. In the Jewish faith, the allowance for baptism was reserved for those coming into Judaism from other faiths and was not for Israelites at all. In other words, an Israelite already belonged to God and baptism was not needed. John was baptizing everyone – Jews and I am sure some Gentiles. This was different and had the Pharisees wondering why and by what authority he was doing it.

The statement about the location (Bethany on the other side of the Jordan) is important, since there were actually two cities or areas named Bethany. From an archeological and geographic standpoint, this is very important. The Bethany mentioned elsewhere in the Bible is actually located a few miles from Jerusalem. The actual location of this Bethany is not known, except that it is on the other side of the Jordan. I expect that it was a rather desolate location, since it is known that John the Baptist lived in the desert.

Question: Have you ever given your testimony to someone? Have you ever had your faith questioned by someone with an agenda? What about someone who was just curious? Also, how does your life point others to Jesus?

b. Verses 29-31 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Isreal.”

This is day number two in the ministry of Jesus. The Daily Study Bible – The Gospel of John by William Barclay mentions that by this time, Jesus had been baptized and tempted by the devil. This was when He went to work.

First, John the Baptist calls Jesus the “Lamb of God”. This is a reference to the “sacrificial lamb”. It is also a reference to the Passover and the blood of a lamb that was spread over the doorways of the Jews so that their first born children would be spared. Another more obscure reference was that the lamb was a symbol of a conqueror (Judas Maccabaeus, Samuel, David and Solomon are all referred to as the honored lamb). All of these references are perfect as a title to describe what Jesus means to us. His act of sacrifice as an attonement for our sin, His blood that spares us from death, and His victory over sin and death are all wrapped up in this reference.

The “sins of the world” is a broader statement than just the “sins of Israel’. John states here that Jesus has come for everyone and He is here to take away our sins. That in itself is a bold statement at the time. John goes on to say that he did not know Jesus was the Christ before he was baptized, but after he witnessed the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus, he was willing to point out Jesus and claim that Jesus was actually the Christ. That was a very bold statement. It was actually something that could be considered blasphemy and could have resulted in John being put to death. This statement wasn’t what caused John’s death, but it was very bold. John also reiterates his intent in ministry was to help other get ready to receive Jesus.

Question: If you were to act as boldly as John the Baptist, what would that look like in your life?

c. Verses 32-34 “Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one that sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down on and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.

The baptism of Jesus convinced John the Baptist without a shadow of a doubt that he had met the Christ. At this time, the Pentecost had not yet occurred and people’s idea of the Holy Spirit was a Jewish understanding (although I don’t think it is that different). The Daily Study Bible – The Gospel of John by William Barclay mentions that the Jewish idea of the Spirit of God brought three things to those who received it. First, it brought the truth of God. Second, it brought the power to recognize the truth when they saw it. Last, it brought the ability and courage to preach that truth to men. This Spirit came into Jesus during his baptism in a little bit different way than it had before. It came and it remained on him. This remaining is important. Jesus had received the mind and power of God.

John the Baptist had a pretty clear understanding at this point about what Jesus was there to do. He did not seem to think that Jesus was there to lead Israel in battle and overcome their enemies on earth, which was common idea of what the Messiah would do at the time. John says he is here to baptize with the Holy Spirit and take away the sins of the world.

What does it really mean that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit? The act of baptizing is to completely soak something. Jesus can completely soak us in the Holy Spirit, where is dripping off. Completely permeated and saturated. John the Baptist baptism did two things (1) it cleansed; (2) it dedicated. This is different than what we receive from a baptism of the Holy Spirit. From Jesus’ baptism we receive (1) knowledge – our purpose in life and the will of God are clear; (2) strength – the strength to use the knowledge and to follow our purpose through to completion; and (3) purification – the baptism is also a baptism of fire that burn away our impurities and self and leaves us new and pure.

Question: When have you seen the Holy Spirit in action? Have you ever witnessed a miracle? If so, what did you do with that experience (how did it affect your life)?