The Glory of the Son: Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:1-18

John, A Voice Crying Out in the Wilderness, John 1:6-8, 1:15, 1:19-34

John the Baptist

1. Sent from God, John 1:6
2. A witness about the Light, John 1:7-8
3. Humbly exalting in the eternal, divine nature of the Messiah, John 1:15
4. Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy, John 1:19-23

• Statements by John the Baptist that reflect divine insight

o   “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” John 1:15

o   “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

o   “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34

• Not “The Christ” (Anointed One) – Psalm 2, Isaiah 61:1-3, Jeremiah 23:1-7, Daniel 9:24-27
• Not “Elijah” – Malachi 4

o   Ways in which John was Elijah

• Matthew 11:14, “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.”
• Matthew 17:9-13, “…but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished… Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.”

o   Ways in which John was not Elijah,

• John 1:21 “They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.””
• Still a tradition during Jewish celebration of the Passover today to leave a place setting for Elijah

• Not “The Prophet” – Deuteronomy 18:18-19
• But “A Voice” - Isaiah 40:1-11

o   Matthew 11:1-19 “…A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’…”

o   The voice calls out:

• Isaiah 40:9, “Here is your God!”
• Isaiah 40:10, “Behold, His reward is with Him.”
• Isaiah 40:11, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock.”

o    

The Glory of the Son: Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:1-18

John, A Voice Crying Out in the Wilderness

Scripture Reading and Prayer, Isaiah 40:1-11

• Spend our time this morning on some of the more prophetic aspects of the ministry of John the Baptist
• Where does John receive this knowledge about the identity of Jesus Christ?
• He says some very surprising things in this section about Christ
• He refers to the pre-existence of Jesus, “He existed before me.” John 1:15
• “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
• “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34
• Where does John get such insights into the nature of this coming One
• Read John 1:19-23 (NLT), Isaiah 40:1-11 (NLT) (Slides)

 

Introduction (Header – Slide 1)

• The Bible is ultimately a book about the Son of God, Jesus Christ and the way He brings honor to His Father
• Isaiah’s significance in the life of Israel at the time of Christ
• There is much speculation by the time of Christ of the things written in the ancient texts, in the holy scriptures
• Words of a coming Messiah, literally “anointed One” filled the imaginations of the 1^st century Jews
• For about 200 years up until the time of Christ there were heroic or religious leaders that prompted some to claim to themselves to be the Messiah or the great prophet promised in the Old Testament
• When John comes on the scene, it is not surprising that the same type of speculation would emerge with reference to him – he was so unique in his preaching and his faithfulness to God
• As individuals tried to speculate on his role in God’s divine drama, John attempts to clarify for any who will listen – “I am not…” but “I am…”
• Deep things and beautiful things of God require using our hearts and minds
• Vacation pics of Long’s Peak (Slide 2)
• Many come to Rocky Mountain National Park and never get more than a few steps out of their cars
• There is a depth to the knowledge of God in Christ and few of us are willing to press the limits of that knowledge, forfeiting a view of His beauty up close

John the Baptist

1. Sent from God, John 1:6
2. A witness about the Light

• His task, to be a witness – to bear witness to the reality of Jesus Christ as the Son of God sent from His Heavenly Father

3. Humbly exalting in the eternal, divine nature of the Messiah, John 1:15
4. Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy, John 1:19-23

• Statements by John the Baptist that reflect divine insight

o   “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” John 1:15

o   “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

o   “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34

• Read John 1:20-21 (Slide 3)
• Not “The Christ” (Anointed One) – Psalm 2, Isaiah 61:1-3, Jeremiah 23:1-7, Daniel 9:24-27
• Read Psalm 2:1-2 (Slide 4)
• Read Psalm 2:11-12 (Slide 5)
• Not “Elijah” – Malachi 4 (Correction in the bulletin)

o   They ask John, “Are you Elijah?”

o   There was a prophecy in Malachi 4 that declares the last days will be preceded by a great prophet – an Elijah type figure, who will come and preach and the nation will respond to him

o   Read Malachi 4:5-6 (Slide 6)

o   Ways in which John was Elijah

• Matthew 11:14, “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.” Read Matthew 11:14 (Slide 7)
• Matthew 17:9-13, “…but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished… Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.” Read Matthew 17:9-13 (Slide 8)

o   Ways in which John was not Elijah,

• John 1:21 “They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.””
• Still a tradition during Jewish celebration of the Passover today to leave a place setting for Elijah

• Not “The Prophet” – Deuteronomy 18:18-19; Read Deuteronomy 18:18-19 (Slide 9)
• But “A Voice” - Isaiah 40:1-11
• Read John 1:22-23 (Slide 10)

o   Not just deflecting attention from himself as one commentator said

o   Matthew 11:1-19 “…A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’…” Read Matthew 11:1-19 (Slide 11)

• Read Isaiah 40:3 (Slide 12)
• Construction of Matthew Road – a bigger mess long before that road is finished

o   The voice calls out:

• Isaiah 40:8, “God’s Word can be trusted” Read Isaiah 40:8 (Slide 13)
• Isaiah 40:9, “Here is your God!” Read Isaiah 40:9 (Slide 14)
• Isaiah 40:10, “Behold, His reward is with Him.” Read Isaiah 40:10 (Slide 15)
• Isaiah 40:11, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock.” Read Isaiah 40:11 (Slide 16)

• Read John 1:22-23 (Slide 17)
• Make our hearts read, prepare a way for us to see our God, to submit to His sovereignty, to bask in His grace and tenderness

Blank Slide 18

Conclusion: There is such beauty in Christ, “Behold Your God comes!”