John The Baptist Fades Into The Background.

JOHN THE BAPTIST FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND.

John 1:29-42.

1. The Lamb of God (John 1:29-34).

As if to underline John the Baptist’s testimony that he was not the Messiah, “The next day he saw Jesus coming unto him, and saith, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’” (John 1:29). This was an unusual name for John to give Jesus, but in pointing to Him John was identifying Him as the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of all His people.

“This is He of whom I said, ‘After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me’” (John 1:30; cf. John 1:15). John the Baptist’s testimony was Christ-centred throughout, and the One who was before was now coming after.

“And I knew him not,” admitted John. “But that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptising with water” (John 1:31). This is the great end of John the Baptist’s ministry: to proclaim Christ until He comes. In like manner, the duty of all within the Christian church is to proclaim His coming again, until He returns.

“And John bare record, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him” (John 1:32). This is what John “saw” at the time of Jesus’ baptism, as recounted in the other Gospels. A gracious revelation of the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven in the manner of a dove, alighting on Jesus, and remaining with Him.

“And I knew Him not,” reiterated John. “But He that sent me to baptise with water…” (John 1:33a). It is evident that God had commissioned John, and had given him his instructions. We see here something of the special prophetic relationship that John the Baptist had with God.

“…the same said unto me, ‘Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which bapiseth with the Holy Ghost’” (John 1:33). Water baptism is only outward, but Holy Ghost baptism is inward. We are ‘born again of the Spirit of God.’

“And I saw, and bare record, that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). Subsequent to seeing the Holy Ghost resting upon Jesus - and also hearing the voice of the Father in heaven (cf. Matthew 3:17) - John gave this further testimony: that hereby he knew that Jesus is the Son of God.

2. Two Disciples of John the Baptist Follow Jesus (John 1:35-42).

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36).

Another day had dawned, and John the Baptist was still pointing men to Jesus. Now he would see the first fruits of his labour. Having told others to ‘Behold’ (cf. John 1:29), John was himself “looking upon Jesus as He walked,” and reiterated, “Behold the Lamb of God.”

This time he got a response. Repetition of the same truth sometimes bears fruit at the second or third time of asking. “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:37). This, surely, is one of the greatest satisfactions in Christian ministry: to preach the gospel, and to see or hear of the listeners going on to be followers of Jesus!

“Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, ‘What seek ye?’ (John 1:38a). Not that Jesus did not know already, but He encourages us to speak to Him about what we want. That is in the nature of believing prayer.

“They said unto Him, ‘Rabbi, (i.e. Teacher) where dwellest thou?’” (John 1:38b). In other words, they desired now to be His disciples. Where might they draw aside and have fellowship with Him?

“He saith unto them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (John 1:39). Jesus’ gracious response to all who desire to follow Him is, “Come and see,” ‘Come unto Me,’ ‘Abide with Me,’ and the like. Jesus set an example here of hospitality.

“One of the two which heard John speak was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto Him, ‘We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ’” (John 1:40-41). Andrew had only just met Jesus, but he was already convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

“And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:42a). Andrew was the first Christian witness, bringing his brother (Simon Peter, no less) to Christ. It is good, from the very outset of our Christian lives, to bear witness to Jesus in our own families.

“And when Jesus beheld him, He said, ‘Thou art Simon, son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone’” (John 1:42b). Jesus - as God - already knew who this was, and gave him his new name. ‘Cephas’ is the Aramaic equivalent of “Peter,” which means ‘a piece of a rock.’ Jesus takes us as we are, and moulds us into what He wants us to be.