The Gospel of John has to do with witnesses to Jesus & the events surrounding Him. John is often called "the Theological Gospel."
1) Day 1. Priests & Levites: experts in the law, specialists in Jewish religion were asking him “Who are you, John?”. John’s father was a priest: traditionally John would have followed his father’s trade; John fully understood the terms he was using. John’s answer: “I am not the Christ.”
- Are you Elijah? I am not. His 2nd longest answer. John did not see himself as another Elijah, not as another prophet.
- “Are you The Prophet?” “No.” John is getting irritated w/ the questions that go nowhere. “Tell us who then?”
- I am the voice crying in the wilderness (Is 40:1-9).
- “Why are you baptizing?” Jews baptized Gentile converts to Judaism, but they never baptized Jews as John did. “Why?”
- Something new: John’s message was: "Repent & believe in the Kingdom of God, then do works that show repentance, then I’ll baptize you." Johns’ baptism was the same as all other NT baptisms in purpose, method, & timing.
- Typically, John points away from self to Christ. Slaves were never required to untie the sandal of a visitor or master. "I am not worthy to untie His sandals."
2) Day 2: John’s witness to Jesus: “Behold (imperative form), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
- “The Lamb of God” is very interesting, not “a” lamb.
- The Passover Lamb of Exodus 12. The Lamb to the slaughter: Is53:7, 12; Jer11:19. The Daily sacrifice. Men’s puny sacrifice cannot take sin away, but God’s perfect sacrifice does!
- Genesis 22:7, 8, 13. God provides His own unblemished, sinless sacrifice. A male, flawless, perfect in every way.
- “Who takes away the sin of the world!” The mass of sin of every man. Jesus takes our sin away (1 Pe 2:24). Has Jesus taken away your sin? Why not? Have you not asked Him to?
- "He existed before me." John was 3 months older, yet Jesus was before him, John knew His eternity. Do you?
- The purpose of John’s baptizing was to shine a light on Jesus’ works.
- Jesus accepted John’s baptism: water. Have you accepted Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit? Paul said that if you have not the Spirit of Christ, you are none of His.
- Jesus is the Son of God. Is He your Lord & Savior?
