August 26, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 8
Is your life testimony that Jesus is the Christ?
___John 1:19-27, 29-37
___By Robert Creech
___University Baptist Church, Clear Lake City
___The drama that unfolds in the Gospel of John takes the form of a trial. Jesus comes into the world offering light (real life) to every person (1:9).
___Each person who hears this offer must decide whether Jesus' offer is authentic. Is he really from the "Father's side" (1:18)? Is his offer of real life valid? Does his offer not indict all we claim as the source of real life? Is his coming not, in fact, a kind of judgment upon all this world offers as life? Do I believe he is the Truth and all other offers of life are lies?
___The trial will settle these issues. Therefore, witnesses must be called and decisions must be rendered.
___We met the first witness in 1:6-8. John the Baptist is the first called to testify concerning Jesus and his offer of real life. What is the nature of John's testimony?
___In 1:15, the Baptist declares this Jesus, who comes "after" him, actually surpasses him in importance. This is because in truth, Jesus existed "before" him. John's testimony, however, soon faces cross-examination by Jewish religious authorities. (Note: When John refers to "the Jews," he typically means "the Jewish authorities," much as the other Gospels refer to "the scribes and Pharisees.")
___The authorities dispatched priests and Levites to question John about his ministry and his role. Jesus will later speak with an authoritative "I Am" to declare his own role (6:35, 41, 48, 51; 8:12, 28, 58; 9:5; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 14:6). John, however, begins his testimony with a humble "I am not" (1:20; 3:28). He makes it clear he is not the Christ (Messiah) they had been expecting. He is neither Elijah (Malachi 4:9), nor the anticipated Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). When the authorities pressed John for positive identification, he described himself in the role of the "voice" spoken of by Isaiah (40:3).
___The authorities also sent some Pharisees to examine John's testimony. They pressed their questions about his behavior and authority. "Why are you baptizing?" they ask. John directed attention to the one of whom he was bearing testimony. He told them one far more important than he already was among them (1:26-27).
___At this point, the inquirers do not know of whom he is speaking. We readers, however, understand he refers to the Word (1:1, 14), because God sent him to testify about that one (1:7). John's hearers do not accept his testimony, however. Later we will see these authorities leading the opposition to Jesus (2:18-20; 5:16-18; 7:1; 8:48; 10:31-33). He comes to his own and his own do not receive him (1:11).
___John then bears witness concerning Jesus to some whose hearts are more receptive. When John sees Jesus the next day, he tells his disciples: "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (1:29).
___John's testimony is rich in meaning. With a simple metaphor, he raises memories of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22), of the Passover lamb of Israel's deliverance (Exodus 12:5) and of the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 53) who submits like a lamb to the slaughter.
___John testifies to the powerful role Jesus plays in the plan of God--deliverer, sacrifice and obedient servant. He describes Jesus as the one who is greater than he is, whom the Spirit anoints and who will baptize with the Spirit (1:30-33).
___John's disciples consider this testimony and decide they have all the evidence and argument required to render a verdict. They leave their teacher, John, to follow Jesus (1:37). They become part of those who "received him" and so became "children of God" (1:12).
___Immediately, these new followers of Jesus take up the mantle of John and become witnesses on behalf of Jesus. Andrew bears witness to Simon, his brother, who also renders a personal verdict in Jesus' favor (1:41-42). Philip encounters Jesus personally (1:43) and then bears witness to his friend, Nathaniel (1:45). Nathaniel's initial skepticism (1:46) melts into personal faith when he meets Jesus for himself (1:47-51). One life after another renders a verdict in Jesus' favor. One disciple after another believes that Jesus is the source of real life.
___Along the way, witnesses heap astonishing titles on Jesus. He has spoken only a few words so far. To this point, he has performed no miracles. Already, however, Jesus receives the titles "Lamb of God" (1:29, 36), "Son of God" (1:33, 49), "Rabbi" (1:38, 49), "Messiah" (1:41), "King of Israel" (1:49), and "Son of Man" (1:51).
___The conflict is already under way between those who accept the testimony about Jesus and those who do not. John portrays the human condition in black and white--one is either in the light or in the darkness. The only alternative is being in transition from one to the other, as Nicodemus and Judas will illustrate (3:2; 13:30). The religious authorities belong to the darkness that neither "understood" nor "overcame" Jesus (1:5). John the Baptist, his disciples, Simon Peter and Nathaniel, on the other hand, have seen the Light and have been drawn to it. The trial of truth continues as the story of the Fourth Gospel continues.
___Question for discussion
___
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