1 of 1

Based in the boondocks, John the Baptizer indulged in no self-advertisement—nor false humility. Just humble awareness and acceptance of his calling. "I am here to prepare the way for him [the Messiah]—that is all," he told his disciples (John 3:28, 30). "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." Jesus endorsed his assessment (Matthew 11:11): "No person ever fulfilled his God-given purpose better than John."

John 1:19-28

1. Was John's testifying primarily about himself or about Jesus? (See John 5:31-35.)
2. What did the delegation from the Temple first seek to determine about the role John claimed (v. 19)?
3. What other role(s), predicted in the Scriptures (Malachi 4:5 & Deuteronomy 18:15), did the delegation bring up (v. 21)?
4. Since these Scriptures did apply to John (see Matthew 11:14), why did he respond in the negative and point instead to the less tangible "voice" of Isaiah's prophecy? Could this have been a maneuver to avoid upstaging the about-to-be-announced Messiah?
5. In spite of John's popularity (see Matthew 3:5), how (v. 27) did he maintain perspective on his status?

Ask God to give you a realistic view of your strengths and weaknesses, and reveal to you the purpose He has for your life.

19 This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" 20 He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."

21 "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No."

22 "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?" 23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!'"

24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" 26 John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.

27 Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal." 28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

Lord, grant me a clearer view of myself that includes both giftedness and fallenness.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help