Who Are You? - John 1:15-28

Who Are You?

John 1:15-28

©September 13, 2020 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

There was a game show that was very popular in the early days of television, it was called "What's my Line?" A person would sign in with their name and then the panel would get to ask questions designed to figure out why this person was significant. It might be what the person did for a living, or something they created (invented); or an experience they had.

There is a sense in which we are entering the "What's My Line?" section of John chapter 1. John the Baptist tells us about Jesus and then answers questions as to the nature of His own identity.

The first 14 verses giving us a bold proclamation that Jesus was God in human flesh: Fully God and Fully man. Now, the Apostle John brings his first witness: John the Baptist. We are told "John testified about him" (Jesus). We don't know when this testimony took place. It is possible it was before he saw Jesus in verse 29 or it could be a summary of John's testimony of Jesus throughout John's ministry. It really doesn't matter. It is the testimony that matters.

Let's go back to the text:

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ”

The Superiority of Christ

The first thing John says is: "He is far greater than I am." John understood his role. His ministry was not about him; it is about the one who is to come. It essential we understand the superiority of Christ.

It was probably a very "heady" thing to have big crowds at your lectures and have lines of people wanting to get baptized for the forgiveness of sins. This is the danger of celebrity Pastors: they can easily forget they are NOT the star of the "show," the Lord is!

Second, we are told why He is superior: "for he existed long before me." This is not about chronological age. John was actually six months older than Jesus. It seems John had insight into the eternal nature of Christ. We looked at this two weeks ago: the Son of God did not come into existence in Bethlehem; He has always existed. In other words, John had insight into the "godness" of Jesus.

How could John know this? I can think of two easy explanations. First, God may have told him. In verse 33 we read: "I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’" If God talked to John about the Spirit, He may have told him more about the Son of God.

Perhaps an even more simple explanation is John was told about the nature of Jesus by His mom, Elizabeth. If you remember, Mary came to Elizabeth for a while after she became pregnant. At that point her baby, which was John the Baptist, jumped in the womb. I am sure there was quite a conversation between Mary and Elizabeth. I suspect John had been told some of those stories as the story of his own birth was recounted.

The point is, John knew that Jesus was more than "another teacher." He is actually God who has become man.

The Blessings of Christ

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

It is hard to know whether this is still the testimony of John the Baptist or whether these words are comments from the Apostle John. Either way, let's look at what is said. First, we are told we are blessed because of Jesus. The Greek text says from Him we have received "grace upon grace." In other words, because of Christ, we receive God's grace over and over again. The text says we have ALL received this. There are two kinds of grace: Common grace and Saving grace.

Common grace is ours by being human. Every moment we walk with Him is a gift of God's grace. Every day we are spared from the judgment of God, is a gift of grace. Every morning when we awake, we are receiving another gift of grace. Do you think you are excluded? You are not. The fact that you are living and breathing is a gift from God.

But there is more to it than just this. There is also saving grace. We CANNOT be made right with God apart from God's entry into the world in the person of Jesus! God could not save us by simply declaring our sins forgiven. He could not save us with a mere edict. The only way for us to be saved was for the eternal Son of God to step into life as a human being and give His life on our behalf! Sin had to be paid for. Justice needed to be dispensed. The cross was necessary for us to know grace. There is NO OTHER WAY for us to be made right with God.

Second, Love and faithfulness come through Jesus. The Law of Moses is a good thing, but it cannot save us because we "do not" and "cannot" keep the Law. The Law teaches us the heart of God and HIs plan for our lives. The Law also reveals sinfulness. By setting limits the Law also serves like a fence that makes it harder for pets and children to wander away.

The Law makes us aware of the problem, our sinful heart. It shows us what is right and what is wrong and how we have missed the mark. Jesus brings the answer to our problem. He died to pay for our transgressions. Christ came as an expression of God's love and faithfulness. His sacrifice is God's provision of grace for those who become His children. It is a staggering love. This and this alone is God's saving grace.

Third, Jesus reveals God to us. The Bible states it quite clearly, "No one can see God and live." God is more magnificent than our eyes or mind can take in. Think of it like an eclipse when you are told to watch the eclipse through a device rather than staring at the sun. We cannot take in the light the sun gives off without pain and damage to our eyes. God's "light" is more intense than that of the sun. God is too great for our puny bodies to apprehend.

God's holiness is also unbearable to sinful human beings. This is why we see several accounts in the Bible of people who see some sort of Heavenly being and are terrified. God is bigger than our minds can handle. Not only that, light always exposes what is in the darkness. When Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord, he proclaimed, "Woe is me, for I am undone." (Isaiah 6) In the light of God's presence the sinfulness of the prophet was exposed. He knew He deserved judgment. He saw his own sinfulness with clarity.

This is why no one will charge God with injustice when they are sent off to Hell. They will see their sin clearly. They will know they deserve the punishment they receive.

Jesus was God confined, and in some ways "muted," in human flesh. He revealed God to us through His words and His actions in a way we can grasp. He is the closest we can get to seeing God in the all the greatness of His glory. In other words, if you want to know God, you had better get to know Jesus. God desired not only to save us; He wants a relationship with us. He died not only so we could have our sin forgiven but so we could know Him in a personal way and become part of God's family and live as members of that family.

Who is John the Baptist?

Now the leaders turned their attention to John the Baptist,

19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”

“No.”

22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,

‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’ ”

24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

Because of the popularity of John the Baptist, everyone wanted to know who he was. God had been relatively silent for 400 years. There had been no Prophets. Now, John showed up sounding a great deal like a prophet. He seemed to come out of nowhere eating locusts and wild honey.

The first question to John was: Are you the Messiah? John responded without hesitation: "I am not the Messiah."

"Are you Elijah?" On the surface, this sounds like a ridiculous question. It would be like asking someone if they were Martin Luther. Luther lived in the late 1400's and early 1500's. Elijah had been gone for many years (although if you remember the story, he didn't die, he was caught up in a chariot.)

The question doesn't make sense to us but made perfect sense to the Jew. The last verses of the Old Testament, in the book of Malachi it says,

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal. 4:5-6)

The people were asking, "Are you the Elijah from Malachi 4:5-6?" John said, he was not. Jesus later said John actually was the fulfillment of this prophecy. John didn't yet know this.

Next they asked, "Are you the prophet we are expecting?" They aren't asking if you are A prophet. They want to know if he is THE Prophet. We miss this allusion as well. In the book of Deuteronomy in chapter 18 Moses told the people,

15 Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deut. 18:15)

The Jews believed this prophet would be the One God sent to save them fully and finally.

The Jewish leaders wanted to know who John was and why he believed he has authority to baptize anyone for remission of sin. John quoted Isaiah 40 and said he is the forerunner who is crying out, "Prepare the way of the Lord."

This was unsatisfying to the questioners who we are told were sent by the Pharisees. Pharisees were a Jewish religious/political party who were laymen (not priests) who zealously followed the Mosaic law. They added scores of additional laws to clarify what it meant to obey the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees didn't think it was right that some "nobody" was baptizing people. They wanted to know what "right" John had to baptize others for the forgiveness of sins. John refused to defend himself. Instead he continued to point to the One who was coming (Jesus).

26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

In essence John said, "You shouldn't be worrying about me. There is someone coming who is much greater than I am. He is so much greater that I don't consider myself worthy to even untie the straps of his sandal”.

Lessons

We will pick up the story next week. Let's stop here and draw some conclusions. First, and foremost: Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can save us. God doesn't want us simply to learn about the Trinity and talk about how Jesus can be both God and man! This is not meant to an academic study . . . it is practical; it tells us how it is possible that we can be right with God. We needed a perfect substitute to take our place and pay for our sin. This substitute had to have enough value that they could give their life for all who would believe. That substitute had to be God Himself in the person of the Son who came to us as Jesus. He is the ONLY sufficient sacrifice. The ONLY way for us to be made right with God.

All roads or religions do NOT lead to Heaven. There is only One way . . . the way provided by God Himself. That way is Jesus. God Himself provided the way of salvation. He took our penalty. He paid our debt. No other religion does that!

Second, we must remember Jesus is the Messiah and we are not. John the Baptist understood he was not the “main guy.” John understood his role. His job was to point to the One who was coming. Our job is the same.

Here’s some things to keep in mind,

· Our job is to tell people about Jesus; but only the Lord can save them

· God does not ask us to be “successful;” He asks us to be faithful

· He does not ask us to be creative; He commands us to proclaim the good news

· God does not ask us to fix others; He tells us to be compassionate with others and concentrate on walking with Him in our own lives so others will see and believe.

· He does not ask us to impress people with our prayers; He asks us to talk with Him honestly

· God does not tell us to be prosperous; He tells us to be generous.

Much of the frustration people run into in the church and in their personal lives comes from trying to do what only the Lord can do. There is only one Savior, and it is not us! For some of you, this is news you really need to hear. You are exhausted because you are trying to save everyone. You are frustrated because you don’t feel you are doing enough. You are discouraged because you can't seem to help everyone. Maybe it is time to take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I trying to do what only He can do?”

Third, when you serve the Lord, there will always be someone around who is going to criticize you. This is true in the church and outside the church. People don't like the message that says we are sinful and need to repent and turn to the One who alone can save us. People don't want to humble themselves before the Lord. Because they don't like the message, they will take aim at the messenger. They will say all kinds of things. Some will say,

· you are too legalistic while others will call you too liberal.

· you lack faith because you wear a mask, or you lack compassion if you don’t.

· you are reading from the wrong version of the Bible

· you play the wrong music, your prayers are not sincere, or you don't do enough for others.

· You will be criticized as playing favorites; you didn't do enough for them.

· You will be dismissed because you have struggles and still battle the sinful nature.

This is just the way it is. All we can do is what John did, answer the questions and keep moving forward.

Finally, we are reminded, no matter what the criticism, we must always keep the spotlight on Jesus. In a few weeks we will be back with John the Baptist. John’s disciples were concerned Jesus was eroding their leader's market share. John responded with these incredible words: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” John knew who must be on center stage: Jesus! John's job was to back out of the spotlight so as not to detract from the Lord.

This is the opposite of the philosophy of the world where we are told to "make a name for ourselves." The Christian singing group Casting Crowns has a song that includes these lyrics:

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won, Will crumble into dust when it's said and done. 'Cause all that really mattered: Did I live the truth to the ones I love? Was my life the proof that there is only One whose name will last forever?

And I, I don't want to leave a legacy; I don't care if they remember me - Only Jesus And I, I've only got one life to live; I'll let every second point to Him - Only Jesus. (Mark Hall, Casting Crowns)

John the Baptist understood this. It is something we need to learn and remember as well.