Gospel of John - 2

Gospel of John - 2

1:19-51

Introduction

- Abrupt shift from the theology of 1:1-18 into an action sequence.

- 1:19-12:50 is Book of Signs

o Ends with Jewish nation rejection of Jesus – 12:36b-37

- Two primary sections

o Initiation into beginning of Jesus’ ministry (witness of John Baptist)

§ Declarations of his identity

· Forerunner v. 23

· Lamb of God v. 29

· Son of God v. 34,49

· Rabbi v. 38,49

· Messiah/Christ v. 41

· King of Israel v. 49

· Son of Man v. 51

o Calling of the first disciples

- Trial Motif

o World is put on trial…to prove Jesus’ innocence and world’s guilt

§ Parade of witnesses before the readers

§ John the Baptist and first disciples

§ Along with multiple OT reference to prove he is the Christ

1. THE WITNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

1:19-28

v. 19 – Jews sent priests/Levites – “Jews” used 68x in John…66 are negative in reference to Jewish leaders. John’s shorthand for ‘rejection of Jesus by Jewish leaders.’

v. 20 – not the Christ – Messiah (Hebrew)/Christ (Greek) means ‘anointed.’

- OT expectations – lead/teach/save Israel

o Davidic King/Savior – 2 Samuel 7:5-16; Psalm 110:1-4; Isaiah 9:6-7

- Elijah – never died (2 Kings 2:11) – expected to return in end times

o Malachi 4:5 to ‘restore all things’

§ Matthew 11:12-15 (Jesus clarifies what he knows, but John does not)

§ Matthew 17:9-13

§ Luke 1:17

o John the Baptist even resembled description of Elijah in rough lifestyle

§ Matthew 3:4 // 2 Kings 1:8

- The Prophet – reference to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-18

o Referenced in Acts 3:22; 7:37

o Highly expected in Jesus’ day / assumed another forerunner to Messiah

§ John 6:14; 7:40-44

o Though John was a prophet, he was not THE prophet.

v. 23 – quote of Isaiah 40:3-5

- prepare the way for LORD (Yahweh)

o what is John doing? Declaring Jesus to be divine.

- Before arrival of the King, party sent out to create new road…what John Baptist is doing

- Sent from the Pharisees

o Relatively small but influential group of religious leaders

o Obedience to OT law, plus their own oral tradition

§ Hedge about the law…good intention (Babylonian captivity)

o Became way to attain righteousness and maintain divine favor

§ Most opposed Jesus (Matthew 23)

§ Some followed him (most notably Paul)

- What authority do you have to baptize?

o Only Gentiles were required to be baptized for cleansing.

o John is declaring the Jews are just as unclean before God (outside relationship)

- Baptism with Holy Spirit (immerse)

o OT expectation that at time of redemption, characterized by outpouring of the Spirit

§ Isaiah 44:3-5; Ezekiel 37:1-10; Joel 2:28-32

- Even strap of sandal I am unworthy to untie

o Shoes were removed by a slave

o John Baptist doesn’t even view himself as worthy of that

1:29-34

Behold the Lamb of God…

- His sacrifice fulfills the OT symbolism of the Passover Lamb

o Lamb was sacrificed every morning and evening at Temple for forgiveness

o 1 Corinthians 5:7

o Ephesians 5:2

o Hebrews 10:1-14

o Isaiah 53:7

- Image culminates in Revelation

o Revelation 5:6-14; 7:13-17; 21:22-23; 22:1-3

…who takes away the sin of the world.

- Substitutionary death on the cross

o Doctrine of propitiation (word coming out of the Passover…wrath diverts to him.

§ Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10

- I did not know him…

o Meaning, as the Messiah until the sign of v. 32-33.

o Likely knew each other personally…mothers are related (cousins or aunt/niece)

§ Luke 1:39-45

- For this purpose, he came baptizing…to identify the Christ. God told him what would happen.

- Spirit descends and remains…

o Sign of ‘anointing’ from God

§ ILL – college class on Holy Spirit…OT, he is temporary

§ Instead of temporary filling…Messiah will be filled at all times

§ Isaiah 11:1-5; 61:1

2. THE WITNESS OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES

1:35-42

- Rabbi (which means Teacher) – 1 of 7 Hebrew/Aramaic terms John defines

o Not a Jewish intended audience

- V. 39 – it was about the 10th hour (4pm)

o Other disciple is likely John the Gospel writer…odd detail to include

§ Such a powerful, life-transforming moment for him, all these years later he still remembers what time it was.

- Andrew recruits Simon

o Name change is significant…change of direction/character

o Abram – Abraham // Jacob – Israel

- Andrew has habit of introducing people to Jesus

o 6:8 – boy with the small lunch

o 12:20-22 – group of Greeks who asked Philip how to get to Jesus

1:43-51

- Moses and the Prophets wrote about

o Entire OT points to Jesus, not random collection of cool stories

o Luke 24:25-27, 44-49

- Anything good come out of Nazareth?

o Nothing little town of 2,000

o Never mentioned in the OT (no prophetic significance)

o Roman Army garrison stationed there…not great morals

o Nathanael is from Cana…4 miles away…rivalry

- An honest Israelite…willing to look at Scriptures himself…Nazareth isn’t special

o Knows under fig tree…supernatural knowledge

o Nathanael is so overwhelmed by this, he could not even describe Jesus in mere human terms. Son of God! King of Israel!

§ Son of God – 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:1-12

§ King of Israel – Zephaniah 3:15

§ Two titles that are used in mockery of Jesus on the cross –

· Matthew 27:41-44

§ How get there so quickly? He came already searching for answers. Philip had already told him who he thought Jesus was.

- See greater things than these…indeed he will. Miracles. Resurrection.

- V. 51 – reference to Genesis 28 – Jacob’s dream…heaven and earth collide

o Jesus is going to be better access to God

o Truly truly…lit. amen/amen…used 25x…solemn affirmation of authority

- Son of Man

o Huge title…not just meaning ‘human’

o Daniel 7:13-14

§ Given universal authority

Application Points:

- Prepare way for people to meet Jesus // Andrew introduces people to Jesus

- Humility before Jesus – unworthy to untie

- Model submissive/sacrificial life of the Lamb – Matthew 20:28 – give life as ransom

- Relationship with Jesus as disciple

o Mark 3:13-15

o How can you follow more closely?