The Voice In The Wilderness.

THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.

John 1:19-28.

The witness of John is put on record (John 1:19) because the Council in Jerusalem sent a delegation to him, asking who he thought he was, preaching without licence (from them) out there in the wilderness. They surely knew he was a priest’s son, but they wondered whether he was perhaps setting himself up to be the long-awaited (and soon expected) Messiah? Anticipating their question, John emphatically denied that he was the Messiah (John 1:20).

Or was he “Elijah”? Or “the Prophet” spoken of by Moses? (John 1:21).

(i). John here denies that he is the Elijah of their common expectation because he was the forerunner NOT of a triumphant King who would deliver them from the Romans, BUT of the humble Servant who would die for the sins of His people. Nevertheless, Jesus speaks of John the Baptist as having come in the spirit of Elijah (cf. Matthew 17:10-13).

(ii). Moses spoke of a Prophet like himself, who was to come of the nation of Israel, and to whom they should hearken. This Prophet is not John, but Jesus (cf. John 12:49).

“Who are you?” (John 1:22a).

It would appear that the authorities were more concerned with the man - and what the man was doing, and how he was stepping on their collective ecclesiastical toes - than with the message that he preached. This interview appears to be more of an interrogation than an honest inquiry, and seemed to take on the sneering scorn of an Inquisition before it was over: “What do you say about yourself?” (John 1:22b).

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias” (John 1:23).

John the Baptist thinks nothing of himself: just “the voice” of the crier who announces the approach of the King. When old-time sovereigns of England would make a ‘progress’ throughout their realm, messengers would be sent ahead to make sure the way was clear, potholes filled in, and accommodation made for a vast entourage. This also involved announcing the approach, so that nobody would be caught off guard.

The trouble with John’s questioners was that they had no interest in the One to come. Typical Pharisees (John 1:24), they were too busy trying to figure John out.

Never mind the preacher, we might reply. Look to the One preached.

Familiar with baptism as a means of bringing non-Jews into the commonwealth of Israel, they next questioned John’s authority to baptise those who were already of the Jewish faith (John 1:25).

“I baptise with water,” answered John the Baptist (John 1:26a). This comment anticipates something more: Jesus’ baptising ‘with the Holy Ghost, and with fire’ (cf. Matthew 3:11).

The Baptist was aware that the Messiah was about to be manifested to his hearers (John 1:26b). They did not “know” Him, and neither would they know Him, for they had no desire to know Him.

John the Baptist spoke of the One coming after him, who was preferred before him (John 1:27a; cf. John 1:15). John saw himself as not even fit for the lowliest task of a slave: loosening the sandals of his Master (John 1:27b).

John 1:28. The geographical note takes us far from Jerusalem. What folly on the part of the deputation from Jerusalem, to travel so far into the wilderness to try to discredit the man who was announcing the approach of their long expected Messiah. What lengths people will go to oppose the Word of God!