John 1:19 "Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'"

A deputation of priests and Levites came to John as the representatives of the leaders of Judaism. His ministry was so exciting the nation that it could not be ignored. Questions had to be asked. John was glad and willing to share with leaders whose interest had been stirred - who he was, and who he served. His emphatic, clear confession was intended to remove any wrong ideas about his ministry. "I am not the Christ" (John 1:20 KJV). Luke says,

Luke 3:15 "And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;"

Some ministries would be flattered by such grand assumptions that made them, by the claims of others, to be someone great, but would stop short of being the Christ. When John was asked,

John 1:21 "... Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No.""

Their enquiry was based on Malachi 4:5, promising that God would send Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord. John could have boosted his prestige had he said "Yes." By saying "No" he was asserting he was not the Elijah of history who was carried to heaven without dying and was expected to return to earth before the terrible day of the Lord. But he was Elijah in the sense of coming clothed with the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17 ). He was determined not to take to himself and ministry what was not rightfully his. Neither did he accept the suggestion that he was 'the prophet', spoken of by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15,18 ). This was none other than the Christ (Acts 3:21 ) whom John the Baptist was preparing the way for, as His forerunner. What an example to present-day ministries to not present themselves as something great, but to exalt the Son of God as preeminent.

John 1:23 "He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, ..."

In fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 40:3 ) concerning himself he confessed to the deputation that he was but a voice to be heard, not some great one expecting the reverence of men. Isaiah's prophecy as it refers to John means, his work was that of removing obstructions and preparing the people for the coming Christ. So his ministry called to repentance. Had these questioners understood his ministry they would not have had to ask about his baptising - and would have resolved their wondering why he baptised Jews. (Normally, it was Gentiles who were baptised when they accepted the Lord God of Israel and became proselyte Jews). In response to John's call for personal preparedness Jews were going through baptism unto repentance.

John 1:26 "John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know."

The baptist's point is, he baptises for another, greater than he - among them but unrecognised. Not only now before his being pointed out by John, the religious authorities would not acknowledge and believe on Him later. Christ is still standing unrecognised among many groups of people. John knew the Lordship of the one who was preferred before him, and regarded himself as having no right or claim to do for Him the humblest service. (John 1:27 ). It is only grace that can put us into the ministry.

John 1:29 "... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

He testifies to Jesus as the Lamb of God. God's Lamb, to whom the sacrifices of the law pointed. Then it was a lamb for a house - God's Lamb is for the world so that whoever believes can be saved.

1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

John 1:30 "... 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'"

The human and divine natures are exhibited in one sentence. John believed in the pre-existence of Christ.

John 1:33 "... 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He ..."

This sign was to make the Christ known to John - revelation came in the descent of the Spirit upon Jesus, as a dove (Matthew 3:11,16 ). This was the infallible proof to John.

John 1:33 "... this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit."

Two aspects of the work of Jesus are stressed by John:

	He shall take away sin.
	He shall baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Two distinct experiences - the one guarantees the other. Pentecost is consequential upon having been to Calvary.

John 1:34 "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

John testified the word he heard from the Father (Matthew 3:17 ). There is no higher authoritative witness than the Word of God Himself. The personal testimony of John is backed up with the personal testimony of God the Father.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Are you determined not to accept the wrong suggestions of others about yourself or your ministry? (John 1:19,20 ).
2. Do you hold that your primary function is to point others to Jesus? (John 1:23 ).
3. Would you say history and prophecy unite in providing the background for the title 'Lamb of God'? (John 1:29; Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 53:7 ).
4. What two aspect of the work of Jesus are stressed by John? (John 1:29; 1:33 ).