A Voice in the Wilderness Declaring the Son of God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 1:19-34

 

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

(NKJV)

 

Those in ministry have a calling to point people to Jesus, the source of salvation from sin and eternal life (John 3:16; 12:32) and attention to what is going on in their ministry is important, so curious individuals come to see what is happening. John’s ministry of repentance and baptism with water has drawn the attention of the Jews leading to the question of whether they have a desire to join John or put his ministry down (John 1:19). The fact that the Jews sent priests and Levites to question John indicates they were gathering information, possibly to use it against John. However, whatever the reason for their query, John is the voice crying in the wilderness, declaring Jesus as the Lamb of God.

 

The questioning by the priests and Levites begins with them asking a simple question to John, who are you (John 1:19). John does not answer the question directly but first declares he is not the Christ (John 1:20). They then ask John if he is Elijah or the Prophet to which he again answers no (John 1:21). Not receiving a definitive answer from John, the priests and Levites then ask John who he is so they can provide an answer to those that sent them (John 1:22). John now answers their question with Isaiah 40:3, identifying himself as the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord (John 1:23).

 

Those sent to question John then ask why he baptizes with water if he is not Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet (John 1:24-25). John then tells them there is one among them that they do not know who will come after John, one John is unworthy to lose even his sandal strap (John 1:26-27). These events occurred in Bethabara where John was baptizing (John 1:28).

 

The next day, John sees Jesus coming towards him and declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). John reveals that his ministry of repentance and baptism with water had the purpose of declaring the Lamb of God, now identified as Jesus (John 1:30-31). God allowed John to see the Spirit of God descend and remain on Jesus, identifying Him as the one who would baptize people with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-33). John concludes by identifying Jesus as the Son of God (John 1:34).

 

God called John the Baptist to baptize with water, a baptism of repentance, preparing the way for the Lord. He receives a sign that the One upon whom he sees the Spirit of God descend and remain is the Christ, the Son of God. Matthew’s Gospel records the fulfillment of this sign, occurring at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17). While not the Messiah, John’s ministry is creating a stir among the Jews the reason their leaders’ sent priests and Levites to question him (John 1:19). The nature of their questions indicates their belief John may be Elijah or the Prophet coming to prepare hearts for the coming Messiah. While this was the purpose of John’s ministry, he answers with Isaiah 40:3, identifying himself as the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The next day, John has the privilege to announce Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, identifying Jesus as the one who would come after him (John 1:29-31), baptizing with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32). John also declared Jesus as the Son of God (John 1:34).

 

When one accepts Jesus as his or her savior, they receive the Holy Spirit, but one can grieve the Holy Spirit and diminish their ministry and walk with the Lord. Unlike the rest of His creation, God breathed the breath of life into the lifeless body of Adam, and he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). Unfortunately, the disobedience of Adam and Eve led to a loss of connection with God and eviction from the Garden (Genesis 3:23-24).

 

John’s declaration of Jesus as the Lamb of God, coming to take away the sin of the world indicates the purpose of Jesus's coming was to forgive sin and baptize those that believe in who He was with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29-34). Even though we still live in a corrupt and fallen world, genuine believers in Jesus as their Savior have an advantage because they have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in their lives and minister in power (Acts 1:8). The mission of the Church is to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) to a corrupt world dying in its sin. The harvest is plentiful but there are few laborers (Matthew 9:37). Will you be a laborer in this great harvest?

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.