John’s Testimony
Fortifying the Foundations #3
John 1:19-34
3-16-03
Intro:
This morning I want to share with you the third message in a series from the Gospel of John. As God has opened this book to us I have become more and more convinced of the importance of foundational doctrine in our future. Many things are helpful; but one thing is –Christ. There are many truths that equip us for life in practical ways; but none so practical as a living relationship with the living God. John deals with essentials: Who is Jesus? Why did He come? How can I know Him?
In Psalms 11:3 David asked the question, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” We can fortify those foundations. We can preach the word and instruct in sound doctrine. We can affirm our confidence in Christ.
In John’s day the fundamentals of the faith were under attack. Gnosticism and other philosophies of men were threatening to undermine the very foundations of truth. Today humanism, relativism, and all kinds of other ism’s challenge our faith. John was fortifying the church with truth when he wrote this Gospel. He was affirming the basics and I believe that is something God wants to do for us through this series which I have entitled: Fortifying the Foundations.
Follow with me as we read our text in John 1:19-34
“Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." 21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." 22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, `Make straight the way for the Lord.’" 24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." 28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, `A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." NIV
Our passage begins with this phrase in verse 19 “Now this was John’s testimony…” I have taken that as the title of our message—John’s Testimony.
What was John’s testimony?
In verses 19-25 we have John’s testimony
I. CONCERNING HIMSELF in answer to the questions asked by the Jewish delegation.
Then more importantly in verses 26-34 we have John’s testimony
II.CONCERNING CHRIST
I. John’s testimony concerning himself:
John’s ministry had drawn a lot of attention. For 400 years God had not spoken to Israel. That is approximately twice as long as America has existed as a nation. Religion can get very, very dry in that kind of spiritual drought. Spiritually speaking Israel had become a wilderness. I suspect that the Bible studies led by the Scribes and Pharisees in those days were pretty dull. Four hundred years of prophetic silence, then suddenly this prophet dressed in camel’s hair and a leather belt emerges from the dessert. He speaks with the boldness and authority of a true prophet. The hungry souls of Judea flocked to hear him. Thousands upon thousands crowded to hear his message.
Rumors spread throughout the land, “Maybe John is the long awaited Messiah. Maybe he is Elijah promised in the last few verses of the Old Testament. Maybe he is the Prophet Moses talked about in Deuteronomy 18:15.” John had ignited a spiritual zeal and excitement beyond anything that generation had ever seen.
The religious rulers, the Sanhedrin, could not ignore what was going on. They could not discount John as some passing ripple in the religious community. So they sent a delegation of selected priests and Levites to ask John some questions. Of course, the first question in every one’s mind was, “Is this Messiah—Is this Christ?” This was a time in Israel’s history of great eschatological expectation. The Jews were longing for Messiah to come and free them from Roman oppression and Gentile dominion. Is John the Christ?
John’s testimony concerning himself begins with a series of denials.
Verse 20, “He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." NIV
Judging from the way John the Apostle phrases that, we might infer that there was some temptation for John to take that title. Perhaps there was a temptation for him to just let everyone believe that he might be. We can’t know for sure. If the temptation was there John emphatically dismissed and made himself abundantly clear, “I am not the Christ.”
I think I hear a groan of disappointment flow through the crowd as he says those words.
If John is not the Christ, then who?
These Priests and Levites were not only familiar with the current rumors but were also well versed in the Scripture. “If you are not the Christ, who are you? Are you Elijah?[1] John said, “No! I am not Elijah.” Had they asked, “Do you come in the spirit and power of Elijah he could have perhaps said, “Yes.”[2] But that was not their question and John was not Elijah. Again their knowledge of Old Testament prophesy led to this question, “Are you the prophet?” --not just any prophet but the Prophet Moses told us about in Deut. 18:25 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” We know from Acts 3:22 that this was referring to Christ. But I suspect that those Priests and Levites were still trying to sort all that out. John’s answer, again, is “No.”
This delegation was not satisfied with all these “no” answers. “Who are you? What do you say about yourself?” I think those words were spoken with some force. “Who do you think you are out here preaching and baptizing with no authorization from us or those who sent us?
Now John tells them who he is—verse 23. "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, `Make straight the way for the Lord.” I am just a voice, just a messenger, one sent to announce the coming of another. This was not only a clear description of who John was—but it was also rooted and grounded in Scripture. John knew the passage. This delegation knew the passage. Isa 40:3-4 “A voice of one calling: in the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”
John the Baptist was sent by God. John 1:6 tells us that. The circumstances of his birth were remarkable. His name comes from a Hebrew word meaning “God is gracious”[3] And behind his rough exterior was a mission of mercy from God.[4] God had raised him up for a specific purpose with a specific message. John’s purpose was to “prepare the way of the Lord. Just as a highway is prepared for travel, John was to prepare the hearts of men and women to receive Christ.
John 1:6-9 “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” NIV
John was to be a witness. That was his job. That is also the job God has given every believer in this room—to be a witness to the True Light, Jesus Christ. We are not The Light. We are a reflection of The Light. We are to let the light shine through our lives—and that Light is Christ.
John is an excellent example of what it means to be a good witness of Jesus Christ. (1) A witness is sent from God (verse 6). Jesus says to His disciples, Jesus says to you and me, “…As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."[5] In Mark 16:15 He tells us to “Go into the world and preach the good news…”
(2) We are sent as a witness, verse 7, to testify concern that Light—our life is to be a living message of Jesus Christ.
(3) John’s life aroused inquiry that gave him opportunity to testify. We may not have as broad an influence as John had. But within our scope of influence we ought to be raising some questions in the minds of unbelievers. They ought to see something in us and about us that makes them ask us—“Who are you? What makes you tick? Why don’t you fuss and fight like the rest of us? What makes your marriage work? What causes your kids to be obedient and drug free? How can you so drink in life with such joy?[6]
Why don’t you need the alcohol to have a good time?” If our light is shinning, it will invoke inquiry. Peter tells us to “Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you.”[7] Is your life arousing inquiry like John’s did? Are you ready to give an answer when the questions come? “Who are you?” John’s answer is our answer. “I’m just a voice. I’m not the eternal Word. I’m not the Light. I am not the answer to all your problems and struggles but I know One who is—let me point you to Him.”
John was a pointer. He pointed others to Christ. He prepared the way for them to receive Christ. The analogy in the Isaiah 40 prophesies of John the Baptist was that of a road builder. I remember when the highway in front of our church was widened and upgraded. There was a huge dip that had to be filled in to make travel easier. A road builder raises the low places, brings down the peaks, straightens the crooked place all for one purpose: to make travel easier. My life is to prepare the way for people to receive Christ into their lives. Can you imagine a road builder putting a huge boulder in the highway. That is not the way to prepare a road. That would obstruct travel rather than facilitate travel. Yet I have seen Christian do that in the lives of non-Christians. I’ve seen Christians violate non-Christians in business dealings, lie, cheat, deceive non-Christians. The offense becomes a terrible obstacle for those people to deal with. Rather than preparing the way they obstruct the way. It is our calling to make the path as easy as possible for people to come to the Lord. May our lives prepare the way for others to come to Christ.
When the questions were asked John quickly turned the focus to Jesus.
II. John’s testimony Concerning Christ:
Look at the transition he makes in verse 26, "I baptize with water," John replied,"—the religious leaders were questioning his authority to baptize followers. That’s when John makes the big announcement, “…but among you stands one you do not know.”
He is Here! He is right here in this crowd[8]. I believe the moment John said those words an atmosphere of awe settled upon the crowd. “Messiah is here? Right here at this meeting?” “Yes, but you don’t recognize Him. You don’t know Him.” Every eye turned from John in search of this One whom John is declaring. That’s exactly what John wanted. That’s always what a faithful witness wants. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus can be in a crowd and people not realize it. Their hearts are breaking in need of help. Jesus is there. But they don’t realize it. Like John it is our job to make them aware of His presence. They need to know that Jesus is here. You need to know today that Jesus is here and He’s here to meet your need. Don’t read verse 26 too casually. It was an awesome moment. John was very aware of Jesus’ presence that day. But then he left his hearers in suspense. He told them Christ was there in the crowd but he did not point Him out in the crowd. I do not know why but I’m sure the Holy Spirit was leading him.
Verse 28, “This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” Bethany was a special place for Jesus. That is where His friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha lived.[9] I wonder if they were there in the crowd that day. I think they may have been there.
“The next day…” (verse 29) “… John saw Jesus coming toward him…”As John saw Jesus coming forward he knew it was time to identify the Messiah.[10] Have you discovered the importance of timing in evangelism? The heart must be prepared. Truth must be pondered and embraced. But just at the right moment, the Holy Spirit will lead us to say, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
This is John’s introduction of Christ to the world. Have you considered the many ways John could have introduced Jesus? He could have said, “Look, the Creator.” He could have said, “Behold, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Eternal One.” He could have said, “Look, the Prince of Peace is here.” Many titles are appropriate for Him. But John introduces Him as the Lamb of God!
In our culture those words don’t have the same impact as it had on John’s audience. These were Jews well aware of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. They knew the story of the Passover lamb in their nation’s exit from Egypt. They knew it was the blood of the lamb that gave protection from the destroyer on the night of the Passover. They had watched the sacrifice of thousands of lambs at the temple in Jerusalem. John’s statement invoked vivid imagery and understanding.
Here John is pointing to the cross in his first introduction of Jesus. This is Christ’s mission, more important than any other. He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.[11] He is God’s chosen sacrifice. The Jews knew that only by the shedding of blood could there be forgiveness of sin.[12] The Lamb must be slain. Justice must be maintained. Sin must be punished. If I have no lamb the punishment for my sin falls on me. But God has illustrated it over and over in the Old Testament. The Lamb would come. The Lamb would be slain. Why? To take away the sin of the world.
So that whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Is Jesus the Lamb who has taken away your sin? Have you received Him as your sacrifice for sin? Do you come to God on the basis of your own goodness or do you come to Him by the blood of the Lamb? My confidence before God—my acceptance before God rests upon this revelation, He is the Lamb “who takes away the sin of the world.”
John is saying to his listeners, “Receive Him as the Lamb.” You want to receive Him as a political revolutionary. You want to receive Him on your terms. But that will not do. You must receive Him on God’s terms. You must first of all receive Him as the Lamb Who takes away your sin. Of course, that presupposes that you acknowledge your sin—that you acknowledge your need for that sacrifice—that you acknowledge your need for forgiveness. The Gospel of John reveals to us the real Jesus. This is part of that revelation. There are people who receive Him as a prophet, receive Him as a teacher—but do not receive Him as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. We must not receive “another Jesus”.[13] We must not receive a Jesus of our own making. We must receive the Jesus who is revealed in the word of God.
Jesus first comes to deal with our sin. Then He comes to empower us and enable us. He not only takes away our sin but He also baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. In Matt 3:11 John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Have you received Him as the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world? Have you received Him as the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire?
How did John know that Jesus is the Christ? He tells us in verses 31-33. It came by revelation. God gave him a sign to look for. When he saw the Spirit come down and remain on a man, that would be the One. Six week before our text[14] John had been baptizing people in the Jordan Valley. John baptized Jesus and as Jesus came up out of the water John saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit like a dove descend upon Jesus. There came a voice from heaven saying, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."[15] That’s when John knew Jesus was the Messiah. But right after that Jesus went into the wilderness forty days and forty nights and was tempted by the devil. The events in our text occurred after Jesus returned from His victory in the wilderness.
Notice what John the Baptist says in John 1:30 “This is the one I meant when I said, `A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”
Christ is Eternal! As a man, John was born before Jesus. In Jewish culture, that gave him the preeminence. But Christ is the Eternal Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We see the same thing in verse 15, “John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" Here is the testimony of John the Baptist and John the Apostle to the Pre-incarnate Christ.
Who is Jesus? John the Baptist answers that question in verse 34 this way,
“I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." This is our testimony as well. He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. He is the Son of God. Do you know Him today?
CONCLUSION
This morning we come to the communion table. We receive the emblems of His great sacrifice on the cross. This ordinance is designed to remind us that He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. Forever and ever we will worship Him as our Lamb. John gave us a glimpse of eternity in Revelation 5. Listen to what he says in verses 11-13. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" NIV
One day we will sing those words in heaven. Today our hearts rejoice before His throne as well. Today at His Table we celebrate the blessed Lamb of God! With gratitude we come. If you don’t know Him, now is the time to open your heart and receive His gift of forgiveness and love. Now is the time to simply ask Him to come in and be Lord of your life.
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[1] Malachi 4:5-6
[2] Luke 1:17; Matt. 11:14
[3] Wycliff Bible Commentary (Luke 1:59-64)
[4] Luke 1:78
[5] John 20:21 NIV
[6] John 10:10 NIV
[7] I Peter 3:15 Today’s English Version
[8] G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to John, Fleming Revell Company, Los Angeles, p.37. I agree with Morgan’s conclusion that John’s statement must be taken quite literally. John knew Jesus was standing in the crowd that day.
[9] John 11:1
[10] Morganl, p.38
[11] Rev. 13:8
[12] Heb. 9:22
[13] II Cor. 11:4
[14] Morgan, p.38
[15] Mark 1:4-13
Richard Tow
Grace Chapel Foursquare Church
Springfield, MO
www.gracechapelchurch.org
