The gospel according to John 1:19-34.

The gospel according to John 1:19-34. John (aka The Baptist). Testimony about himself and his testimony and revelation of Jesus.

Recap: John wrote the introduction to draw people in to his account of Jesus life, addressing the theological and Philosophy frame works of the time. The Word, that was with God and was God in the beginning, and all things was made by Him, that he came to he’s own people that did not receive him – the gospel good news – that all that did receive him and believed in his name, he gave the right to be the children of God, born of God a new creation. He became flesh and dwell among us and John has seen his glory – that he is the son of God full of grace and truth, eternal God the son with the father came to dwell with people. And who is that as John write: Jesus Christ, that has made God known.

John purpose is that people reading his gospel would receive and believe in Jesus, as Christ and become the children of God. 20:30:31. That you may believe that Jesus is the son of God and that you may have life in his Name. A theological historical biography of Jesus.

Today: John will write about the other John (B). About who he said he was, and why he did what he did, and who God showed John B, Jesus was. Let’s read.

Levites (John is a decedent of the Levits) and priests come from Jerusalem to find out who John is. Asking who are you? John responds I am not the Christ. Messiah -the promised one. They the keep asking are you Elijah? John says; no. (In Matthew and Luke PPT Jesus says that John was like Elijah, so ether John does not know or he will not go along with their theological plans / misunderstandings, and uses more time to point to wards Jesus). Are you the prophet promised in the time of Moses? And John says no.

They keep asking the “What do you say about yourself? We came all this way we need an answer to the people that send us. Johns recite Isaiah, to explain his mission. That his job is to make a way for the Lord, not that he is the Lord, but he is making room for the Lord to come. PPT 40:3. (There is may refences to Isaiah in this passage).

They still have questions because the Pharisees had sent them (They do believe in prophesy). So, they ask John about; “Why do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet”. In a sense what are you doing? (John did not fit their theological understanding) John response was, I baptize with water, but someone you don’t know that is among you, the one who I am not worthy to untie his shoe (lowest servant work), he will be the one you are looking for.

Fun, the next day, - right after they came and asked John, John sees Jesus coming towards him and said “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes asway the sins of the world!. (Explain the Lamp of God) Exodus + Isaiah 53.

This is the one I was preparing a way for, the one that is before me, and ranks above me, - That is why I was sent to baptize with water to prepare for his coming and that he will be revealed to Israel. (John was sent from God to do this work). (Some believe that John B is the messiah, and worship him over Jesus, both Johns are trying to clear up that mistake).

John said:” I saw the Spirt descend form heaven like a dove, and it remained on him, - again John said I did not know he was the one; before God revealed it to me, the one that the Spirt descend and remain, - he is the one that baptizes with the Holy Spirit, (contrasted with water for repentance and outward cleansing, Baptized with the Holy Spirt, changed, made new, a child of God by the will of God). (Many different theological traditions, it is the same event not to different, John is saying Jesus has the ability to change people, he only point to the one that can change people, filled with the Holy Spirt, a new creation, born again).

I have seen; this and witness that this is the Son of God.

This is what John witnessed about Jesus. John was sent from God to prepare the way for Jesus, who he did not know was the one, only after the Spirt rested on him.

What does this mean for you? I am not sure.

We can take a look at a few things: The Levits, priest, Pharisees, had a view of what the Messiah should be like, ruler king that would give back the land to the Jews and expel the Romans, so for some there was no room for Jesus. Because he did not meet the picture they had? What about you? Do you dismiss Jesus, because you don’t know him, or because Jesus’ dose not fit your view?

What John did was to testify to who Jesus is. No make him fit people’s expectations. It that what we do when we talk about Jesus? Or do we make Jesus what the person that we talk with want? Or do we make Jesus in to what we want him to be? Or are we like John witnessing about what Jesus has done?

A few more: What does it mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world?

Abrham, Passover, Isiah 53, substitution atoment – God made a way for us to be set free from sin, death, wrath of God, - What does that mean for you?

What does it mean that John’s witness about this? John was faithful in completing his mission,

That he was more concerned about faithfulness and to give up “power”, so Jesus could be lifted high,

Have you experienced Jesus as the Lamb of God, that takes away sin? Your sin?

Have you experienced Jesus as eternal, before John and higher than John?

What is your response to Jesus? Now that you have hear John’s witness about Him?

My prayer would be that you believe and receive, Jesus and believe in his name as John wrote last time, and be encouraged to live your life for and in Jesus Christ to the glory of God by the Holy Spirts power.