Good morning,
This week we will study John 1:1-51. The Apostle John gives us several descriptions of Jesus and His ministry. He tells us He is the Word, the Light, the Lamb, the Messiah, and Rabbi. He gives us John the Baptist’s eye witness account of Jesus. Then he concludes with an account of the beginning of Jesus ministry.
John’s witness (15-34)
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John the Baptist gives an eyewitness account of his ministry and the person of Jesus Christ. He heralded the coming of Jesus. He made it very clear that he was not the coming one, the Messiah of Israel. He pointed to Jesus.
When we minister for Christ, where does the honor go? Are we looking for the praise of men or giving all the glory to God? Remember, nothing we do is possible without the power of God.
Give all the glory to God!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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