John 9 “Who Sinned?”

“And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.” (v.2)

When something unexplainable happens some people want to immediately blame God for the illness, misfortune, or tragic event that has occurred. When an illness like cancer strikes someone, some tend to think of it as a punishment from God for some secret sin. While it is true that all death can be traced back to man’s original sin, we should not reason that some sin must be the cause of sickness, misfortune, or tragedy in any individuals life. This is why our LORD replied, “Neither has this man nor his parents sinned (v.3), undercutting all pat answers to affliction.

Perhaps emotional illness, more than any other kind of suffering, is subject to shortsighted, judgmental responses. Most physical diseases are socially acceptable, but a stigma still hangs over most psychological disorders. 

In her book God's Remedy for Depression, Vivian Clark tells of a discussion on the topic, "Is Depression Sin for the Christian?" One person said, "Because it can't coexist with the fruit of the Spirit, which is joy, it must be a sin." Another added, "There is no reason for Christians to be depressed." Just then, a sad-faced woman slipped away from the group. For days she had been despondent and unable to gain victory. Those remarks added to her depression.

Some emotional problems may indeed be caused by wrong attitudes or secret sins. But all of us transgress, and yet not everyone breaks down. The causes of depression and mental illness are so varied and complex that we must not engage in simplistic solutions. To help someone, we shouldn't immediately ask, "Who sinned?" Rather, we should pray for those who suffer with this illness that they may receive His peace and that the glory of God may be revealed. 

True compassion invests everything necessary to heal the hurts of others.

The Truth
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5)

John 8 “The Slavery of Sin”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say unto you, everyone who commits sin, is the slave of it.” (v.34)

When we repeatedly give in to a particular sin, we become a slave to it. Slowly it begins to take over lives until most people feel powerless to break free from their habit. Guilt and shame begin to mount while ones self identify and confidence begins to fade. 

Once we start down the wrong path, turning back is difficult. Some of the most dangerous practices bring only temporary pleasure but a lifetime of pain and misery. Those who are willing to endure the pain for the temporary pleasure are addicted, hooked, enslaved. 

Freedom however, is found in becoming a slave of Jesus Christ. When we are in the grip of any evil practice that is ruining our life, we can simply acknowledge our sin and helplessness to the LORD, submit fully to Him, and be assured that He will forgive and deliver us.

The pleasures of sin are for a season, but its wages are for eternity.

The Truth: “Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” (Romans 6:16)

John 7 "Living Water"

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (vv.37-39)

The Feast of Tabernacles lasted eight days. All through the first seven days water from the Pool of Siloam was carried in a golden pitcher and poured out at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness. It seems that on the eighth day there was no pouring of water – only prayers for water – to remind them that they came into the Promised Land.

What Jesus was about to say, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" was of great significance. For He boldly called the people to Himself to drink and satisfy their deepest thirst, their spiritual thirst. And sense there was no water being poured out on this eight day, Jesus was saying, "I have the water you’re looking for." This invitation was both broad and narrow. Broad because it said, if anyone. Meaning intelligence, race, class, nationality, or political party, did not limit it. Yet narrow because it said, if anyone thirsts. One must see their need. Thirst is not anything in itself; it is a lack of something. It is an emptiness, a crying need.

Jesus went on to explained what He meant by the metaphor of drinking. To come to Jesus and to drink (He who believes in Me) was essentially to put one’s faith into Him; to trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus for both time and eternity. For the one who does believe in Him, Jesus offered a perpetual river of living water out of His innermost being. Essentially Jesus said, “Put your loving trust in Me, enthrone Me in your heart, and life and abundance will flow out.” Though no specific passage of Scripture is quoted, this would in fact be a fulfillment of such prophecies as that of Zechariah that one day a fountain would be open to the house of David, and living waters would go out from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1, 14:8); and of Isaiah that God would pour water upon the thirsty (Isaiah 44:3, 55:1).

This outflowing life and abundance comes in and through the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer. This speaks of an experience that belongs to those believing in Him. The nature of that experience may differ among believers, but there is some aspect of it that is promised to all who will receive it by faith. 

This outflowing life and abundance mentioned in our text could not come yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified – that is, glorified on the cross and through resurrection. This giving of the Holy Spirit for the people of God could not happen until Jesus completed His work at the cross and the empty tomb.

So there was a division among the people because of Him (v.43). During the days of His earthly work, Jesus divided people. People could not truly be of two opinions about Jesus, so some would be for Him while others would be against Him. The division didn’t come because Jesus spoke foolishly, or because He spoke on a theologically controversial topic. He spoke about Himself, the Messiah – and He spoke clearly, not in dark mysterious sayings, but truth. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The Truth: “If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:15-18)

John 6 "I Am The Bread Of Life"

And Jesus said unto them (the Jews), “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (v.35)

After Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish, they were willing to follow Him wherever He went, and even proclaim Him as their king, their Messiah. Why? because of His miracles, because He could fill their stomachs, because He met their physical needs. In fact, the next day the people sought Him out (after He had left them) and found Him on the other side of the sea- not simply to be with Him, but to get something from Him, another meal. 

Jesus then called them on it by saying, "You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled" (v.26). And, instead of telling them when and why He came, Jesus told them why they came – because they wanted more food miraculously provided by Jesus. They wanted the bread, but more than just the bread; they also wanted the display of the miraculous and a miracle king to lead them against their Roman oppressors.

 Following Jesus should never be about what He can do for us, never about what we might receive in return. As a true disciple we come to Him, believing in Him for who He is, “The bread of life.” His Word then sustains us; we never hunger, never thirst, never die, and will never be separated from Him consciously - unlike those who seek their own desires.

Finally He tells the crowd, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures for everlasting life" (v.27). Jesus made this contrast between material things and spiritual things because He wanted to them labor for the food which endures for everlasting life. Yet their work was for the food which perishes – things that fill a stomach and rule and earthly kingdoms, not seeing the spiritual application. They were rightly impressed at the miracle of bread worked through Jesus; but He wanted them to be more impressed for the spiritual food He brings by a miracle.

He goes on to say later in the chapter, "I am the bread of life" (v.48). Jesus repeated and continued the use of this metaphor. As bread is necessary for physical life, so Jesus is necessary for spiritual and eternal life. The spiritual bread Jesus offers is even greater than the manna Israel ate in the wilderness. What they ate only gave them temporal life; what Jesus offers brings eternal life. C.S. Spurgeon put it this way, “Every man feeds on something or other. You see, one man getting his Sunday newspaper; how he will feed on that! Another goes to frivolous amusements, and he feeds on them. Another man feeds upon his business, and upon the thought of his many cares! But all is poor food; it is only ashes and husks. If you only knew Him who possess true spiritual life, you would know the deep necessity there is of feeding upon Christ.” 

The Truth: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

"They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them." (Isaiah 49:10) 

John 5 “Honor The Son”

My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” (vv.17-18) 

Here the Jews were ready to kill Jesus, not just for healing a man who had an infirmity thirty-eight years on the sabbath (v.5), but more for His claim that God was His Father (v.17). If untrue, His claim would be considered blasphemy and punishable by death (Lev.24:11, 16). However, if His claim is true, then there is no crime and He is who He claims to be. 

Here in chapter 5 John gives us a fourfold witness to Jesus’s claim of Sonship through the recording of Christ’s own words.

First, he records that John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus (vv.33-35). Upon seeing Jesus coming to be baptized of him John states, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John1:29) And later saying of Him, “I saw a Spirit descending from heaven, like a dove, and He remained upon Him” (v.32). And finally, “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God (v.34). 

Second (and even greater witness than John), He sites Christ’s very works (v.36). Jesus had said to His detractors many times, “If you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know that the Father is in Me and I in Him.” (John 10:38). A Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus testified of Christ’s works saying, “We know you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs (works) that You do unless, God is with him” (John 3:2). 

Next we see in chapter 5 a reference to the Father Himself testifying of Jesus after His baptism by John the Baptist (v.37) where God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) And again when Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain in front of Peter, James and John a voice came out of a “bright  cloud” saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.” (Matthew 17:5) 

Finally John’s records the words of Jesus that speak of, “the scriptures themselves as testifying of Him” (v.39) and even Moses, their great Prophet, believed and wrote of Jesus (v.46).

So why didn’t these educated Jewish priests believe that Jesus was the Son of God? Why wouldn’t they accept Him and His claim to Sonship and receive everlasting life? The answer, I believe, is found in verse 42 where Jesus states; “I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.” 

So sad that those who called themselves "Holy men of God", who should have known the scriptures and validated His position through them, were blind to it. But their blindness (that would eventually lead to His death through their false accusations), lead to salvation for all that would honor Him and believe on His name. For Jesus is more than a "teacher" who came from God. He is the beloved Son of God.

The Truth

For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17)

John 4 "The Samaritan Woman"

Then Jesus declared (to the Samaritan Woman), "I, the one speaking to you - I Am He." (v.25)

In Jerusalem, and in the surrounding territory of Judea, Jesus began to feel a growing hostility from the Jews. The Jewish leaders were becoming threatened by Jesus popularity, and thus they were already beginning to think and make murderous plans against Jesus. So He left Judea and went back once more to Galilee (vv.1-3). The route He would take would be through Samaria. This was not the normal route the Jews took because of the animosity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans. Therefore, His choice to go that way had a specific purpose.  

In verse 7 we are introduced to the Samaritan Woman who comes to draw water from the well where Jesus is resting in the middle of the day. In the story, Jesus knew that this woman was of the lower class of people since it was uncommon for a woman of higher class to come to draw water from a well at midday. Jesus, knowing all things, also knew that this woman was involved in a life deeply steeped in sin, for she was a harlot. The story that is about to unfold is a tremendous illustration of the mercy and grace of God.

When Jesus asks the woman for a drink, there is a much greater reference that He is making than just physical refreshment. He begins helping her to see her need for the refreshing that salvation brings by saying to her, "Drink of this water and you will thirst again." The refreshing Jesus is offering here can't be quenched by the physical. There is nothing in the material realm that can satisfy the Spiritual thirst. Implying here that only He can provide that.

This Samaritan woman was astonished that Jesus would even speak to her because the Jews would avoid any conversation with Samaritans. However through His conversation with her, Jesus reveals His knowledge of  her life, everything she ever did. To which woman replied, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet, and I know that Messiah called Christ is coming. And when He comes, He will explain everything to us." To which Jesus replied, "I the one speaking to you - I Am He." It is an amazing thing that to this Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals Himself to be the Messiah, yet to the people of Judea where Jesus had just come, He hid His identity. 

Scripture tells us that the Lord will reveal His will and nature to those who are looking and willing to do His will and to heed the words. This woman, and the Samaritans themselves, were much more willing to listen and heed His word - and thus to them He reveals more of Himself than He revealed to His own Jewish kinsmen.

The Truth: "Truly, truly, I say unto yo you, whoever hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)

  

 

John 3 "The New Birth"

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (vv.1-3)

Here in chapter 3 a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus at night in order to speak with Him (vv.1-2). Perhaps Nicodemus came by night because he was timid, or perhaps he wanted an uninterrupted interview with Jesus. Nevertheless, his conversation began with, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” In using the pronoun "we" it is difficult to know if Nicodemus spoke of himself, of the Sanhedrin, or of popular opinion. But one thing is sure, Nicodemus believe Jesus was "a teacher come from God" (v.2).

Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus shattered the Jewish assumption that their racial identity – their old birth – assured them a place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it plain that a man’s first birth does not assure him of the kingdom (v.3); only being born again gives this assurance. The ancient Greek word translated again (anothen) can be also translated “from above.” This is the sense in which John used this word in John 3:31 and in John 19:11 and 19:23. Either way, the meaning is essentially the same. To be born from above is to be born again.

Jesus clearly said that without this – that unless one is born again – he cannot enter or be part of the kingdom of God. Moral or religious reform isn’t enough. One must be born again. This isn’t something that we can do to ourselves. If Jesus had said, “Unless you are washed, you cannot see the kingdom of God” then we might think, “I can wash myself.” A man might wash himself; but he could never birth himself. 

Nicodemus then said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" (v.4) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (vv.5-8).

 Jesus was emphatic in saying that man does not need reformation, but a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit. Born of water I believe refers to our physical birth, since we come forth from a sack of water. This idea does make a good parallel with the idea of that which is born of the flesh (is flesh) in John 3:6. Born of the Spirit refers to a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. 

Scripture tells us that, "Man is dead in his trespasses and sin" and that the only way to Life is through the Son.

The Truth: "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God."(John 1:13)

John 2 (Part 2) "A New Temple"

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (vv.18-22)

This question posed by the Jews in our text wasn’t necessarily a bad question. Anyone who drove the merchants out from the temple courts (vv.13-17) and claimed the authority to do it was bound to be questioned. What the Jews wanted to know was did Jesus really have this authority. The problem is that they demanded a sign from Jesus to prove it, making the request misguided: what sign could have been more telling than that which they had just witnessed?

Yet Jesus answered them saying, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus spoke here of the New Temple of His body. He probably even gestured to Himself as He said this. Jesus knew that these religious leaders would attempt to destroy His body, but He also knew that they would not succeed. The irony here is that the religious leaders themselves would be the means by which the prophecy was fulfilled. 

At the trial of Jesus, one of the charges brought against Him was that He said He would destroy the temple (Matthew 26:60-61, Mark 14:57-59). When He died on the cross, the mockers reminded Jesus of what seemed to be an impossible promise (Matthew 27:40, Mark 15:29). Jesus wasn’t against the temple, but He certainly looked beyond it. He told the Samaritan woman that there was a day coming when people would no longer worship at a temple in Samaria or Jerusalem, but they would worship God in Spirit and in truth. 

Jesus then confidently claimed in our text the power to raise Himself from the dead, and He repeated the claim in John 10:18. It is interesting to note that the New Testament also claims that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 6:4 and Galatians 1:1), and that that Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead (Romans 1:4 and 8:11). The resurrection of Jesus then was a work of each Person of the Trinity, each working together.  It was only after the death and resurrection of Jesus that His disciples understood and believed both the Scriptures and the specific promises of Jesus.

Today we have those same scriptures to speak to us of the eternal promises of God. As Paul wrote in Hebrews 1, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." (vv.1-2) The question is, Do you believe this? 

The Truth: "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also is secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay." (Psalm 16:9-10)

 

John 2 (Part 1) "Water Into Wine"

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” (vv.1-10)

This "beginning of signs" in the Gospel of John (the first of seven) is a miracle of conversion, from the old ways of law, to the new life of Jesus. Moses turned water into blood, showing that the Law results in death (Exodus 7:17-21). But Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine, showing the gladness and joy of His new work. This plays out for us what John said in John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." 

According to John 2:1, this miracle happened on the third day in which Jesus was in Galilee. John hints at the idea that Jesus showed His glory on the third day, and that His disciples believed in Him when they saw His glory. However here the glory of Jesus is found in His compassion, and this was a miracle full of compassion. 

The wine was not an absolute necessity; no one would die drinking water. However, in that day what was at risk was the embarrassment, reputation, and perhaps the bank account of the bridal couple. Yet, Jesus – and His Father – counted that enough to do this first public miracle and sign. Of course His disciples believed before, but now their belief was deepened and re-expressed. The faith of the disciples here is significant, especially in comparison to the others present who benefited from the miracle, but of whom no specific belief is mentioned. 

This is typical of so many people today who benefit from God's grace and yet do not believe in Him. We as Christians on the other hand, understand we don’t deserve His grace in our lives and our belief in Him grows even deeper with each experience. 

The Truth “And the God of all Grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you or strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10) 

John 1 (Part 8) "John the Baptist’s testimony: Jesus is the Son of God."

 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (vv.32-34)

God gave John the Baptist the sure sign to know the Messiah. He would be the one on Whom the Holy Spirit descended upon from heaven. John was a reliable witness regarding Jesus, because he had confirming evidence from God. The solemn testimony of John the Baptist was that Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Son of God in the sense shown in John 1:18 – the One who perfectly declares the nature and personality of God the Father. 

What is clear from the gospel of John, is that his writing emphasized John’s role as a witness, not a baptizer. That John was not the One who was to come, but a forerunner to Messiah, a reliable witness to God's new order - who knew who Jesus was because of: what he saw, God's anointing on Him with his own eyes, and what he heard, He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 

John remained steadfast in his witness and his ministry of "declaring the way of the LORD" until his death. 

The Truth: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." (Matthew 3:16)

John 1 (Part 7) "John Explains His Identity"

Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees, they asked him saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (vv.24-28)

Here we see that the Pharisees wondered about John’s authority to baptize, if he was not actually one of the prophesied ones they had in mind here in our text. Yet John’s work of baptizing perfectly suited his calling. John’s baptism by water demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. Yet John’s baptism gave nothing to help someone keep clean. John explained to the religious leaders that he was not the focus of his work, but the One who was already among them. John’s work was to prepare the way for the One preferred before him. 

John further described his position in relation to the One who was currently among them as, "Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose." To untie the strap of a sandal (before foot washing) was duty of the lowest slave in the house. This was even considered “too low” for a Rabbi to expect one of his disciples to perform. John's statement here took the focus off himself and showed his preference to the One.   

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (v.26). John didn’t present Jesus as a great moral example or a great teacher of holiness and love. He proclaimed Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. It wasn’t “Behold the great example” or “Behold the great teacher” – it was Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He used ‘the lamb’ as the symbol of sacrifice in general. In this one sentence, John the Baptist summarized the greatest work of Jesus: to deal with the sin problem afflicting the human race. 

The Truth: "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)

John 1 (Part 6) "Religious Leaders Question John The Baptist"

 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (vv.19-23)

We have already learned that John the Baptist came for a witness (John 1:7 and 1:15). Now we learn what his testimony regarding Jesus was. With emphasis, John told the Jewish leaders who he was not. He did not come to focus attention on himself, because he was not the Messiah. His job was to point to the Messiah. Thus the gospel writer was making it clear to his readers that John the Baptist did not claim to be more than he was.

It might have been easy for the priests and Levites from Jerusalem to associate John the baptist with Elijah because of his personality and because of the promise that Elijah would come before the Day of the LORD (Malachi 4:5-6). However, John was careful to never say of himself that he was Elijah. Yet Jesus noted that in a sense, John was Elijah, ministering in his office and spirit (Matthew 11:13-14 and Mark 9:11-13). John even denied being a Prophet because in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 God promised that another prophet would come in due time, and based on that passage, they expected another Prophet to come, and wondered if John was he. Yet John still took no credit.

John's answer to their question, "Who are you?" came from Isaiah 40:3, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD.”’ John’s real function was not to teach ethics, but to point men to Jesus. The religious leaders wanted to know who John was, and he wasn’t really interested in answering that question. He wanted to talk about his mission: to prepare the way for the Messiah. Getting people to see their need for a Savior. 

John explained to the religious leaders that he was not the focus of his work, but the One who was already among them. John’s work was to prepare the way for the One, "Whose sandal strap I (he) am not worthy to loose."

The Truth: "I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)

John 1 (Part 5) "John's Witness To God's New Order"

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (vv.15-18)

John the Baptist’s testimony here was rooted in his understanding of the pre-existence of Jesus. He knew that Jesus was before him in every sense. This new order has an inexhaustible supply of grace (grace for grace, the figure of speech similar to sorrows upon sorrows) and truth, contrasting with an order of rigid laws and regulations given through Moses. 

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ: This describes and demonstrates the fullness of grace announced by John the Baptist and brought by Jesus Christ - a different order than the one instituted by Moses under the law.

No one has seen God at any time: Jesus, the Word, is the perfect declaration of the unseen God. The Father and the Son belong to the same family, and Jesus has declared the nature of the unseen God to man. We don’t have to wonder about the nature and personality of God. Jesus has declared it with both His teaching and His life. Jesus then, who is in the bosom of the Father, and has a oneness of essence with God the Father, is therefore the only one able to declare Him.  For He and the Father are one (John 30:10). 

The Truth: Jesus' Prayer for all Believers (John 17:20-26)

"I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me." (vv.20-23)

John 1 (Part 4) "The Word Became Flesh"

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (v.14) 

And the Word became flesh: This is John’s most startling statement so far. It would have amazed thinkers in both the Jewish and the Greek world to hear that the Word became flesh. What John was indicating is that God (The Word) has come close to us (man) in the person of Jesus Christ. And one doesn't have to struggle to find Him; He came down to us. 

And dwelt among us: The idea behind this phrase is more literally, dwelt as in a tent among us. From the sense and the context, John connected the coming of Jesus to humanity with God’s coming to and living with Israel in the tent of the tabernacle. A better translation might be, and tabernacled among us - as the tabernacle represented was many things that Jesus is among His people: The center of Israel’s camp, the place where the Law of Moses was preserved, the dwelling place of God, the place of revelation, the place where sacrifices were made, and the center of Israel’s worship. Everything was centered around the tabernacle. 

We beheld His glory: The word beheld is stronger than the words “saw” or “looked.” John tells us that he and the other disciples carefully studied the glory of the Word made flesh. John testified to this as an eyewitness, even as John the Baptist testified. John could say, “I saw His glory, the glory belonging to the only begotten of the Father.”

Full of grace and truth: These two ideas should hold our minds and direct our lives. God is grace, and truth. Not one without the other. Not the other apart from the one. In His government there can be no lowering of the simple and severe standard of Truth; and there is no departure from the purpose and passion of Grace. 

The Truth: "For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

 

 

John 1 (Part 3) "Receiving The Word"

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (vv.12-13)

Here the Apostle John tells us that though some rejected this revelation, others received Him and thereby became children of God. They became children of God through a new birth, being born… of God. Now the end of the story is not the tragedy of rejection, but the grace of acceptance. 

The idea of “receiving Jesus” is Biblically valid and requires one to embrace and receive Him unto themselves. As many as received Him is just another way to say, those who believe in His name. “Faith is described as ‘receiving’ Jesus. It is the empty cup placed under the flowing stream; the penniless hand held out for heavenly alms.” (Spurgeon)

Believers are God’s ‘little ones,’ related to Him by birth, and John reminds us here of the nature of that birth. Those who received Him are born of God, not of human effort or achievement, and not of blood, but of the Spirit. This new birth is something that brings change to a life. 

A Pharisee named Nicodemus asked Jesus this question concerning being born of God, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4). Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-7). Jesus is telling Nicodemus "you need to be born twice, physically and then spiritually." 

Receiving Him makes you His child, and as His child an heir to His eternal kingdom. If you would like to receive Him today simply pray the prayer to the right on this page "connect with God." 

The Truth: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17) 

John 1 (Part 2) "The Witness"

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." (vv.6-8)

There was a man sent from God: John the Baptist bore witness of the light, that all through him might believe. The work of John the Baptist was deliberately focused on bringing people to faith in Jesus the Messiah. The testimony of John is introduced not only as a historical note, but in order to bring out the aggravated blindness of those who rejected Christ. 

He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. The matter of witness is a serious thing, it establishes truth and gives ground for faith. Yet, being a witness does more. It commits a man. If one takes a stand in the witness box and testifies that such-and-such is the truth of the mater, one is no longer neutral, but committed. The Apostle John lets us know that there are those like John the Baptist who have committed themselves by their witness to Christ.

John the Baptist's work was remarkably well received and widely known. Yet in our text the writer still makes it very clear that John the Baptist was not the Light spoken of here in verses 6-8, but that he pointed towards and bore witness of that Light to come. The "true light" that gives light to everyone was coming into the world (v.9). He goes on to say that, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him" (v.10). God came to the same world He created, to the creatures made in His image, and yet the world did not know Him.

While this is extremely sad, sadder still will be the day in which God rejects those of His creation seeking to enter the kingdom of heaven whom He never knew. 

The Truth: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'LORD, LORD! And then I will say to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice evil!' (Matthew 7:23)   

John 1 (Part 1) "The Word"

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." (vv.1-3)

In the beginning: This refers to the timeless eternity of Genesis 1:19 (In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth). John essentially wrote, “When the beginning began, the Word was already there.” The idea is that the Word existed before creation or even time. "The Word" in ancient Greek translates to Logos. The idea of the logos had deep and rich roots in both Jewish and Greek thinking. 

Jewish rabbis often referred to God (especially in His more personal aspects) in terms of His word. They spoke of God Himself as “the word of God.” For example, ancient Hebrew editions of the Old Testament change Exodus 19:17 (Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God) to, “Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet the word of God.” In the mind of the ancient Jews, the phrase “the word of God” could be used to refer to God Himself.

The Greek philosophers saw the logos as the power that puts sense into the world, making the world orderly instead of chaotic. The logos was the power that set the world in perfect order and kept it going in perfect order. They saw the logos as the “Ultimate Reason” that controlled all things. Therefore in this opening statement John said to both Jews and Greeks: “For centuries you’ve been talking, thinking, and writing about the Word (the logos). Now I will tell you who He is.” John met both Jews and Greeks where they were at, and explained Jesus in terms they already understood.

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." The Word created all things that were created. The Word is the source of all life – not only biological life, but the very principle of life. This life is the light of men, speaking of spiritual light as well as natural light. It isn’t that the Word “contains” life and light; He is life and light. And this light cannot lose against the darkness; the darkness will never overcome it (vv.3-5).

The Truth: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31).