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Introduction
Introduction
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Big Themes- Glory given to Jesus. Humility. Purpose. Fulfilled prophecy.
Big Themes- Glory given to Jesus. Humility. Purpose. Fulfilled prophecy.
John D. Forerunner of the Lamb (1:19–28)
(1) We are not the focus of the witness; (2) we are not the light; and (3) we proclaim belief in Jesus.
Questions: Who is THE prophet, if not Elijah?
Questions: Who is THE prophet, if not Elijah?
John D. Forerunner of the Lamb (1:19–28)
The Prophet probably referred to Moses’ promise in Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.”
Why is he quoting Isaiah?
Because the Baptist received the same sort of instructions Isaiah does, and indeed they are more meant for him than the person who first received it.
What is significant about Elijah? Why does Jesus contradict John?
Elijah (1:21, 25): Elijah did not die (2 Kings 2:11) and was expected to return to announce the end; in this sense, John was not Elijah. In a different sense, however, Jesus observes that John was indeed “Elijah” (Matt. 11:14; 17:10–13), in fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 (cf. Luke 1:17).
The Israelites believed that Elijah would physically return. Indeed the Baptist is not the person of Elijah, but he does fulfill the role of Elijah in Malachi 4:5
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
Where does JB get the poetic language “lamb of God”?
Genesis 22:14 Abraham said “the Lord will provide”
What does it mean to baptize with the Holy Spirit?
Make sure to quote:
and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
“not a more righteous man”
Luke chapter 1
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
MUST address this fallacy that charismatics have a better relationship with the Holy Spirit or that baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
The Baptist refers, or gives two disciples to Jesus?
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Go on up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Notable- John epitomizes the OT, indeed he is referred to be like: Moses, Elijah and Isaiah.
He is this walking representation of the OT. His father is Zechariah, a Levite serving the temple. His mother is from the priestly line of Aaron. He was born to parents like Abraham and Sarah, like Hannah who were considered too old have children but miraculously was born. He is charged to take the nazirite vow like the Judge, Samson. He comes and takes the place of Elijah, quotes and embodies Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 40 and is even asked if he is “the prophet”, Moses. He even gives commands for the country to listen to like the prophets of old. It is hard to imagine a single person being born with more old testament qualifiers than this man.
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
John’s righteousness and accolades make him the perfect fit. It is not an accident that Jesus, the sinless lamb of God, is born in the same family of the greatest man ever born.
John symbolizes all the hopes of Israel. There was so much excitement in the NT about him. Here was a rugged prophet calling for all of Israel to turn and repent. He was born in the right family, he was righteous, he spoke prophecy from God. His lineage reminded them of Isaac, Moses, Samuel, Samson, Elijah and Isaiah. This was everything they wanted. And what did he do with all of that good will and glory? He directed it to Jesus, saying He must become greater and I must diminish.
The religious people of the time must have been so disappointed. God was finally talking with them again, He was finally after so long using a great man. And yet this man who embodied all their hopes was telling them someone greater was coming; Jesus, the Messiah no one expected. John the Baptist was a living embodiment of everything Israel was hoping for. His ministry felt like a sign that the promises of the prophets were finally coming to fruition.
Scores of people were repenting and being baptized. Priests and Levites were sent to investigate. Even Herod the Tetrarch thought Jesus’ fame must have meant he was actually John raised from the dead.
John wasn’t just anyone. He was born into a family with a rich spiritual heritage—a priestly line that traced back to Aaron. The circumstances of his birth in Luke 1 carried with it a deep connection to the stories of the great figures in Israel’s past: Isaac, born to parents in their old age through divine intervention; Samuel, the last judge and the one who anointed kings; Samson, the Nazirite chosen to bring Israel deliverance; Elijah, the prophet who confronted the people’s idolatry; and Isaiah, the one who spoke of the Lord’s coming. In many ways, John’s life and mission were a continuation, even a fulfillment, of all these promises. He wasn’t just another prophet; he was the final herald, the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Jesus Himself even called John the greatest man who ever lived (Matthew 11:11), a testimony not just to his role in God’s story, but to the character that Jesus held in the highest regard.
John, living a life of righteousness and dedication, was clearly a man set apart by God. His message carried an authority that made people believe the kingdom of God was at hand. For those who had been waiting in hope, it seemed as though God’s promises were now unfolding right before their eyes.
What did John do with all this attention and glory? He pointed it all to Jesus. John declared, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).
John, the greatest man who ever lived, a living symbol of the law and prophets, knew there was no greater calling than to be a herald of the Messiah.
We aren’t called to admire people in the Bible. We are called to be like Jesus. Yet, if we should emulate anyone else, it’s John. We should live strange, holy, and humble lives that always point away from us and toward the glory of the Lamb of God.
