Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son, John, had been miraculously
conceived and born in their old age with a specific ministry to do for the
Kingdom of God. He was an austere individual with a striking presence, who
lived in the wilderness and loudly proclaimed the need for Israel’s repentance,
to prepare themselves for the coming Messiah. Both his parents were descended
from a long line of priests, but John didn’t enter the priesthood. Instead, he
became the last prophet to Israel. This was his calling from conception, as
announced by the angel of the Lord to Zechariah in Luke 1:11-17. His was a
specialized mission. John understood that he was the one anointed to recognize
and introduce the Messiah when the time was right.
Jesus had lived a normal Jewish life for 30 years, and like
John, had been well trained in the Law of Moses and in the temple rituals of
Israel. He was the author of the Law and the subject of the rituals, and John
knew that about the coming Messiah (“he
ranks before me, because he was before me”). Though he and Jesus were
relatives, near the same age, John was not certain of Jesus’ true identity
until, during the course of John’s baptizing of those willing to identify with
the Kingdom of God, this truth was revealed to him in a spectacular way:
John 1:32 And
John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove,
and it remained on him."
That was the signal. Matthew
3:13-17:
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to
John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented
him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But
Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was
baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens
were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a
voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased.”
John didn’t simply figure it out, no matter how much he may
have admired and respected his cousin. There was a qualifying factor he
obediently watched for….
I myself did not know
him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom
you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with
the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness
that this is the Son of God.” John 1:33-34
This event marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
He identified Himself by water baptism with the plan of God to become sin for
us, atoning for our sins by taking the full penalty of spiritual death on the
cross.
Now that John was certain of the identity of the Messiah, he
was ready to make his announcement:
The next day again
John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he
walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36
God’s Lamb. Without spot or blemish. The one promised to
Abraham on the mountain (Genesis 22:8). The one promised to Adam and Eve in the
garden, when Jesus clothed them with the skins of (probably) lambs He had slain
to symbolize the Sinless One Who would make atonement for all sins (Genesis 3:21). That Lamb.
The two disciples
heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them
following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to
him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He
said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he
was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth
hour. John 1:37-39
John was an anointed teacher, and a humble one. The men who
had been following him and learning from him were ready to move on, he knew,
into much more advanced spiritual training. Now he knew to Whom they must go to
receive that training. I’ve actually experienced something like this, as I
began my spiritual journey into the Word of God. Our first real Bible teacher
took my friends and me through several months of basic doctrinal training and
then told us that to grow up, we needed a more advanced teacher; HER teacher,
and away we went. A truly spiritual Bible teacher will not be on a power trip,
but will be delighted to share his sources and encourage you to pursue maturity
with a more advanced leader. In the circumstances of these disciples, I know we
would have gone home with and listened intently to every word out of that
pastor-teacher’s mouth. Such is the fascination and excitement of finding someone
who is capable of accurately teaching the Word of God. We were not stroked,
bribed, fluffed, cajoled, shamed, threatened, or controlled in any way. He
dished out the categorical doctrine and we could take it or leave it. That is
the freedom of God’s grace. Those men were hungry for what Jesus had to offer.
Truth and freedom. He is the source of truth, freedom and eternal life.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
We’ll see more about John 8:31-32 when we arrive there in
our study. It is another one of my favorite scripture quotes from our Lord.
This was the beginning of discipleship for those men, and
other men Jesus would choose to go with Him as he proclaimed His Kingdom to His
people, the Jews. It would not be easy for them, but they would endure anything
to be with Jesus and learn from Him. His human life was one of hardship and
persecution and He would soon promise the disciples that those same conditions
would be theirs, because of their relationship with Him. The gospel message is
the most important message in any generation. John was anointed, they were discipled
and we are discipled to give the world the good news:
“Behold, the Lamb of God!”
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