March 10, 1999

FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
John demonstrates power
of a faithful witness
___ John 1:19-42
___By Thomas Lea
___Southwestern Seminary
___He carried me from an airport in a major city to my downtown hotel. On the way I talked to him about Christ and gave him a Bible tract outlining the plan of salvation. Two days later he returned me to the airport. He had read the tract, reflected on it and admitted his need for a closer walk with the Lord. Apparently he was a Christian needing a renewed commitment to Christ. God had used our discussion to rekindle his interest in Jesus.
___This week's lesson focuses on the purpose, place and proclamation of a witness. It reminds us that all Christians must witness about the saving power of Christ.
___ Purpose of a witness (John 1:19-23). John's hearers had many questions about his activities.
___He answered their queries by comparing himself to a road builder (v. 23). John called his listeners to make moral preparation for the Lord who followed him. He promised that Jesus would provide a fuller revelation and reveal God's glory. John's witness prepared people to receive Jesus.
___John refused to identify himself as the Messiah. Jews expected the Messiah to bring political freedom to their nation. John rejected the title because accepting it would have caused the Romans to view him as a dangerous revolutionary.
___John's rough exterior led some to compare him with Elijah (v. 21). He denied that he was a resurrected Elijah. Jesus later taught that John had come with the power and spirit of Elijah (Matt. 17:12-13).
___ Place of a witness (John 1:24-28). John served as a faithful witness to Jesus. He emphasized that he had come to represent one who occupied a far more exalted position than he (v. 27). He was quick to move himself aside so that his hearers could catch sight of Jesus.
___John's baptism involved immersion in water and demanded a renunciation of all evil. It was done in preparation for Christ.
___Christian baptism also demands repentance, but it looks back to celebrate Christ's work. Christian baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
___ Proclamation of a witness (John 1:29-34). John saw Jesus approaching him and presented him to the crowd as "the Lamb of God" (v. 29). This identification marked Jesus as the one who sacrificed himself to remove guilt and open the way to God. In the Old Testament a lamb was a guilt-offering (Lev. 14:10-25). John's words related Jesus to a ministry of atoning for our sin by his death.
___The descent of the Spirit on Jesus at his baptism allowed John to recognize him as the Messiah and Son of God (vv. 33-34). John's emphatic declaration led two of his disciples to follow Jesus (vv. 35-37).
___Some adults are prepared to make a positive response to a clear witness about Jesus. As we faithfully share what Jesus has done, God will use this testimony to bring others to trust his son.

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