Answer Him

Answering the Father

John’s entire career is spent responding to the Father’s call

John 1:31 NRSV

I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

John 1:33 NRSV

I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

John is quite specific concerning Jesus’s identity

John 1:29 NRSV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:33–34 (NRSV)

‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

He is the one Israel has waited for

He is uniquely empowered by the Spirit

He takes away the world’s sin

He baptizes with the Spirit

Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit (or Spirit of God) transforms and empowers God’s people.

Craig Keener

*** Photo of dove: The Spirit rested on Jesus, and Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Are you baptized with the Spirit? Transformed and empowered by God?

Answering the Son

*** Photo of John pointing the two disciples to Jesus

The disciples believe John’s testimony

The disciples (Andrew, and an unnamed disciple) follow Jesus

*** Photo from “The Chosen” of Simon and Andrew

John 1:40–42 NRSV

One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Jesus calls disciples

Those called by Jesus are baptized with the Holy Spirit, transformed and empowered

Disciples don’t run on their own steam, they’re vested with the divine presence and power

Jesus gives a new identity, sometimes symbolized by a new name, as he makes us new as his disciples

*** Photo: Jesus calling. Jesus is calling. Answer him!