The Word The Light The Lamb

Apostle John opens his letter, The Gospel of John, to his primary audience, the Jews, with a powerful identification of the Messiah; of which they were longing for. Immediately he identifies Jesus The Messiah as the Word, the Light of men, and the Lamb of God. (John 1:1, 4, 36 respectively)

Pharisees, members of the Jewish nation who believe in the resurrection to life, after physical death, were constantly looking for as many signs as they could identify which pointed to the prophesied coming Messiah. Many of God’s prophets had spoken concerning a messiah coming to redeem Israel. These men of high standing in the Jewish nation were looked upon as knowledgeable, well scripted men, in the Law of Moses, the governing law for Israel. They took it as their responsibility to be aware of the things occurring about their nation to warn all Israel of the coming Christ.

Apostle John knew of this situation among all Israelites, however, he also knew not all Israelites believed in Jesus as this Messiah. His letter was to tell his first-hand account of the life of Jesus Christ with John’s proof of which he believed was clear. He believed that Jesus was the son of God, the Messiah, who was to come unto Israel and to all the earth to bring salvation. His letter was first to speak this message to his fellow brethren and to bring the gospel message unto the Gentiles so that they might believe and find salvation.

Following John’s discourse identifying Jesus as the Word and the Light of men, he immediately turns to the Jewish people with one of the signs they were looking for; someone performing Godly activities other than a Pharisee or a Sadducee. Let us read John 1:6-8.

John 1:6-8. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

This man sent from God was one prophesied unto Israel from the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 40:2-5, a voice calling from the wilderness would proclaim the coming of the Lord. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

The prophet Malachi also prophesied the same. Malachi 3:1. 3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

These leaders of the Law for Israel, the Pharisees and Sadducees worked at understanding the Law and the Prophets. This prophecy from Isaiah was at the ending of the Judah captivity for a 70 year period to Babylon. They remembered and or learned from The Scribes among them who were transcribing one scroll to another daily. Therefore, they knew of the speech of the law enough to be in continual lookout for things pertaining to the coming of the Lord. Others, also, some common people, not of high standing knew of these things written in the books of the prophets and the Law. Therefore, this information was somewhat common knowledge. Remember the punishment from God for their sinfulness was over and they were experiencing peace or protection from their enemies from the Roman Empire. They gave protection to their servants, all nations over which Rome ruled. Rome allowed the nations to keep their customs if they paid tribute. This Israel was doing at the time of John the Baptist and Jesus.

We recognize this beginning of John’s dialog toward the Jews by verse 19 of chapter 1. 19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? These Jewish leaders who sent the priests and Levites were Pharisees, members of the Sanhedrin counsel. Verse 24, 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

Pharisees, those who believed in a life after physical death, would be the ones more concerned in spiritual matters for their fellow brethren because salvation from their enemies was of most importance to them. However, we know their concern was twisted a little and was perhaps used for their own personal benefit among their brethren. They also believed a physical empire for Israel would occur and a Messiah would provide a physical world for them to live in peace and harmony. However, in most of the teachings of Jesus concerning these Pharisees and Sadducees, it was to enlighten them concerning the real truth of the Will of God. Every man, having his own opinion, is the very basis for untruths and disbeliefs. Because of this many factions develop over all subject matters of this world. Someone such as John needed to clarify in writing, with authorization from the Holy Spirit, what is the witnessed truth.