John is very different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke in structure and style, and relates some significantly different content. It was most likely written afterward and some historical records indicate that John had read the other gospels and so was writing in a complementary manner.

His purpose (John 20: 30-31) – to relate the signs so you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and have eternal life in His name.

Encounter Jesus – John Week 2

John the Baptist & the Lamb of God

John 1: 19-42, 3: 22-36

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

 

Lesson Notes

Recall that John’s inspired gospel is focused on eyewitness testimony to the person, power, and nature of Jesus, that readers might believe He is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing have eternal life. One of the most important early testimonies to the identity and mission of Jesus comes from John the Baptist, an unusual, but immensely popular prophet who had swept the scene in Judea, calling the nation to repent. However, John had a very specific purpose, and as we’ll see tonight, he understood that purpose well, and was extremely content with it, even though it would mean the loss of his fame and stature.

John 1: 6-8 – John was called to be a witness to the light – to Jesus.

The Identity of John the Baptist (John 1: 19-28)

  • We’re first introduced to the question of who exactly John is, establishing the identity and credibility of the witness.
  • Note the repeated use of legal terminology in this section
    • Verse 19 – this is the testimony of John when leaders came to ask “who are you”
    • Verse 20 – He confessed, I’m not the Christ
    • Verse 21 – He’s not Elijah or the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18)
      • John knew he wasn’t literally Elijah, but it seems he didn’t fully understand his own role
      • Jesus knew that John fulfilled the prophecy of one like Elijah coming (Matthew 11: 13-14)
    • Verse 23 – Quotes Isaiah to identify himself – Isaiah 40: 1-5
      • This is the start of a well-known (then and now) section of Isaiah anticipating redemption through a suffering servant of God
  • Why are you baptizing? He isn’t a priest, though he is from the tribe of Levi.
    • Baptism had been a ceremony of initiation for converts to Judaism
    • Qumran community practiced it daily to wash away sins
    • But it was usually self-administered
    • Here John applies it to Jews repenting of their sins, and leaders want to know why
  • Verse 26 – a curious answer – it doesn’t answer their question but points to another person
    • That’s his real purpose – to get people ready for and point them to the Messiah
    • Someone they don’t know
    • Someone so superior that John isn’t worthy to act as His slave

The Lamb of God (John 1: 29-42)

  • Verse 29 – the initial testimony of John
    • Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Whoa!!!
    • Points them and us to the sacrificial system – innocent lambs sacrificed to pay the penalty for sins, because sin demands death, and to wipe it away, the blood of an innocent must be shed
    • Jesus fulfilled the Passover Lamb – blood shed that the children of God would be spared from death
    • Reveals Jesus fundamental identity and mission – to take away the world’s sin
    • 1 John 2: 2 – the propitiation for our sin
  • Verse 30 – the one ranking above John because He is older
    • As humans, we know this isn’t true – John is about 6 months older than Jesus
    • But John clearly has insight into the eternal pre-existence of Jesus
    • Links back to the prologue – John 1: 15
  • Verse 31 – answers the question from verse 25, of why is John baptizing?
    • To reveal Jesus to Israel
    • John didn’t know He was the Messiah until that moment (except in the womb)
  • Verse 32 – “John bore witness” – to seeing the Spirit rest on Jesus  – ‘It remained on Him”
    • Not a temporary condition like in Old Testament times – Jesus was always full of the Spirit, as Isaiah predicted
  • Verse 33 – God had told John that the one he saw the Spirit descend on would be the Messiah
  • Verse 34 – Note the legal language again – I have seen and borne witness
  • Verse 35-36 – Reiterates Jesus is the Lamb of God
  • Verse 37-44
    • 2 of John’s disciples, including Andrew, the brother of Simon, switch to following Jesus
    • Verse 41 – Andrew tells his brother that Jesus was the Messiah

PRAYER – Confession and thanksgiving for God sending the Lamb to take away our sins!

Jesus launches His ministry in Judea – a portion we don’t hear about in the other gospels, which generally begin with His ministry in Galilee

  • The wedding, a temple cleansing, a conversation with Nicodemus
  • Then we learn more about John’s ministry as he works near where Jesus is ministering

John Exalts Jesus as the Son of God (John 3: 22-36)

  • Another opportunity for John to bear witness to who Jesus is
  • Verses 22-25 – Both Jesus and John are baptizing (though Jesus Himself doesn’t baptize according to John 4:2), when a Jew asks John’s disciples about purification and Jesus
  • Verse 24 – John not yet put in prison – this is where John’s gospel dovetails with Mark 1: 14
  • Verse 26 – Dissatisfaction amongst John’s disciples that more people were going to Jesus
  • Verse 27 – John says this is from God
    • His attitude is remarkable – He’s very clear on who he is as a servant of God
  • Verses 28-29 – John rejoices in Christ’s presence – like the Best Man at a wedding
    • John’s joy is complete in Christ – he’s content to fall into obscurity
    • Verse 30 – He must increase, I must decrease
  • Verse 31 – the contrast of Jesus and John is remarkable
    • John knows he’s a regular guy while Jesus is from heaven
  • Verse 32 – What Jesus says is from heaven, but many reject it
    • To accept Jesus’ word is to agree that God is true – powerful!
  • Verse 34 – Jesus utters the word of God and gives the Spirit without measure (without limit)!
  • Verse 35 – Jesus is the Son – the Father loves Him
    • And has given all things into His authority – what’s demonstrated by the 7 signs
  • Verse 36 – The gospel message – eternal life for those who believe, condemnation remains for those who don’t
    • Re-affirming John 3: 16-18
  • This is the bottom line of John’s witness – same as John’s gospel – the stakes are incredibly high and everyone who doesn’t choose Jesus is condemned by default!

PRAYER – For people to come to believe and know Jesus!

Next week: Sign #1 – Water to Wine (John 2: 1-11)