The First Testimony of John the Baptist

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

1. What was John’s ministry?

John the Baptist came to bear witness of the coming Light. In many ways we are still performing the same ministry today. John pointed people to the Messiah; we should be doing likewise. John humbled his ministry before Jesus; we should be willing to do the same. John said that he would decrease but Christ must increase; may we do that in our own life. John bore witness of Christ; let us do the same.

19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

2. Look up Malachi 4:5. Why do you think the Pharisees thought John was Elijah?

Matthew 3:4 describes John’s appearance, "And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey." John was a wilderness dweller much like Elijah. They both spent time near the Jordan river and they both wore clothing of animal skin. John the Baptist would have the appearance of what the Jews imagined Elijah must have looked like.

Russell comments on John’s simple lifestyle, "John's dress and habits were strikingly suggestive of Elijah, the old prophet of national judgment.... It was natural that he should continue the manner of his youthful life in the desert, and it is not improbable that he intentionally copied his great prophetic model. It was fitting that the one who called men to repentance and the beginning of a self-denying life should show renunciation and self-denial in his own life."

Malachi 4:5 tells us, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." It was prophesied that Elijah would come before the great day of the Lord. Many Jews felt Elijah must come before the Messiah. In fact Jesus confirmed this idea when he said in Matthew 11:12-14, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come."

22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?"

23 He said: "I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord," ’as the prophet Isaiah said."

3. Look up Isaiah 40:3. How are we as John – a voice crying in the wilderness?

Isaiah 40:3 promises one will come, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ "

In many ways America is becoming a spiritual wilderness. Our society has become very selfish and very self-indulgent. Sinful behavior and aberrant actions have become the norm. But amid this wasteland of sin, let us be the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord."

MacDonald comments, "John spoke of himself simply as a voice. He did not pose as a great man to be praised and admired, but as a voice – not to be seen, but only to be heard. John was the voice but Christ was the Word. The word needs a voice to make it known and the voice is of no value without a word. The Word is infinitely greater than the voice but it can be our privilege, too, to be a voice for Him."

24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.

25 And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.

27 "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."

4. Do you think John answered the Pharisees’ question?

No doubt the priests were offended that John, by baptizing, was appearing to take over their duties of ceremonial washings of Leviticus 11-15. But notice that John does not get into a religious debate with the Pharisees. Instead he points them to the purpose of his ministry – to prepare for the coming of Christ.

In verse 27 John reveals his true humility before Christ. It was a servant’s job to loose the sandal strap when the master arrived at the house. But here John says that he is not even worthy of that humble duty. John understood his position before the Son of God. He understood his unworthiness. I wonder if we understand our own unworthiness. Have we ever come to Jesus in prayer demanding things from him, or complaining to him, or even arguing with him? Let us realize we are not even worthy to unloose the strap of his sandal. Let us come into his presence with true humility.

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

5. Why do you think John called Jesus the Lamb of God?

If we were Jews who every year sacrificed a Passover lamb as a memorial of the time when God delivered the nation out of Egypt, this symbolism would have deep meaning. It is no coincidence that Jesus’ last supper with his disciples was a Passover meal. Jesus was the Passover lamb that took upon himself your sins and mine.

30 "This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’

31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."

6. What do you think John meant by "I did not know him"?

I don’t think that John meant he did not know Jesus personally. Notice he says, "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel." I think that John is saying he did not realize that Jesus was the Messiah until God revealed it to him when Christ came to be baptized by John.

32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.

33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

7. How did John know Jesus was the Christ? How can we testify of the Christ?

God revealed to John who the Christ was. He will reveal to us who Jesus is. Notice that John had been given a sign. When he saw this sign of the Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove, then he knew for sure that this was the promised Messiah. We can also know for sure about Jesus. Ask God to reveal Christ to you. If you will be honest with God, he will show you clearly that Jesus loves you and wants to be Lord of your life. All we have to do is accept him into our heart.

After we become followers of Christ, then we need to be like John the Baptist and point others to the Messiah. Let us be sharing our testimony with family, friends, and neighbors. May we not be afraid to point others to Jesus.

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

8. Why do you think John pointed out Jesus to these two disciples?

This to me is one of the most amazing acts of humility imaginable. John points out Jesus to two of his disciples in such a manner that the two will want to follow Christ. John had no ego. He wasn’t afraid that the church of Jesus would become larger than the church of John. He wasn’t concerned with losing two of his faithful followers. His only interest was to point others to Christ. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all Christian ministers would act this way and not be afraid of other churches stealing their members?

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	A Study of John 1:6-8, 19-36