Bible Study Notes

John 1:19-34

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

‘Are you the Christ?’ they asked him.
‘Are you Elijah?’
‘Are you one of the Prophets?’
‘I am a voice’. A mere voice! The voice in the wilderness that points to the Messiah! Humility was ringing through his voice.
Remember Elijah? He did not taste death but was taken up to heaven in a chariot. The Jews believed God used Elijah to run His errands on earth and settle rabbinic disputes. They misread Malachi 4 (I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes,) expecting Elijah to personally introduce the Messiah.
John came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Mal. 4:1-5; Matt. 11:1-19; Luke 1:17) asking Israel to repent and be ready to receive the Messiah.
Theological speculations ruled the day. One such was built on the verse The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers (Deut 18:18). John dispels the myth and shows Christ (Ex. 23:20; Deut. 18:15-18; Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40; Matt. 3:3; John 1:45; 7:40-41).
The Pharisees’ intent on cross-examining was to prevent John from baptizing. Who gave you this authority? If you are not the Christ, nor Elijah or one of the Prophets, why baptize?  
John's baptism was one of acknowledging that we are sinners and need a Savior. This was a public event because our faith needs to be public and pronounced—a continual living event. Our Lord identified Himself and calls us to be identified in Him. The context is also about being loyal to God so that we cling to Him with faith and obedience.
John perplexed the religious leaders, but his answer perplexed them even more: I merely baptize with water, he who comes will baptize with fire, and I am not worthy to even be His slave.
Jesus had finally arrived! John saw Him and proclaimed, Look! Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! He is the One I was talking about, He is the One of whom I said, “soon One who is far greater than I will come, for He existed long before I, and I baptize to point to Him and show my people Israel—here He is.”
Then the Holy Spirit descended ever so tenderly like the gentleness of a dove coming from heaven and resting on Jesus. John proclaimed, He is the One to whom we are all looking and need; He is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and I testify that Jesus is the Son of God!
John's testimony was not just one of statement of facts. It was one of turning away from what holds us back from God, like selfishness, pride… The pertinent question today is how to live our lives for Him.
‘Who are you?’ the Jewish leaders asked John. The question can be turned around and asked, ‘Who am I?’ Someone pointing to Christ? Or someone blowing one’s own trumpet?   
I am the voice. This is the Greek word for spokesperson—“phone”, from which we get our word, “telephone.” This is a quote from Isaiah 40:3, promising God’s salvation. It also means heralding a new exodus from the wilderness of sin into the redemption of Christ (Isa. 6:6-9; 40:3; Matt. 3:3-4; Luke 1:76, 3:4; ).
Make straight the way means to remove all obstructions mental and spiritual for God's glory to shine on us (Isa. 6:4; 35:8-10; 40:1-8; 57:14; 62:10; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 3:3-9).
Pharisees interpreted the law, and there were more than 6,000 Pharisees then, records Josephus, the first century historian. They created the famous Jewish commentary, the Talmud, which includes Mishnah and Gemara (200 BC- 500 AD), a thorough Jewish history and study of the Law, Prophets, and Writings. Many of the Pharisees were godly, but overemphasized outward appearances. They were disliked because they made their own traditions and manipulated what God had actually intended. Jesus did not play their game of pretentiousness – looking good with their decorative garments and long public prayers, but practising lying, and cheating widows and orphans. An honest man is fervently hated by Hypocrites (Matt. 23)!
I baptize with water. This was a ceremonial cleansing demonstrating a commitment to follow God. The Qumran community and first-century pious Jewish groups practised this. Converted gentiles were baptized to join the Jewish community. Some Greek philosophers also practiced this, like Epictetus (Deut 6:4; Matt. 3:6; John 3:3-5; 4:7-26).
Whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. The job of a servant was to carry his master's sandals that were culturally considered disgusting and untouchable (considering they walked in mud and dung…). Here John says he is not worthy to even be His slave—an act of humility and the awareness of the Holiness of God. Jesus was not John's disciple; rather John was being a harbinger of the Good News of the Gospel (2 Kings 18:12; 19:34; 20:06; Jer. 35:15; 44:4).
Bethany /Bethabara. This was in Herod's region, where John was captured and later beheaded at the behest of Herodias. (Bethabara, found in KJV, comes from a spelling error. By the second century, it no longer existed and hence the confusion).
The Lamb of God. The blood of the Passover Lamb saved the children of Israel from the Angel of death. The Angel passed over their doorposts. Christ – the only effective and ultimate sacrifice – takes away the sin of the world (Ex. 12; Lev. 16; Isa. 53:7-12; John 19:36; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet 1:19).
Takes away the sin. John's baptism does not remove sin, but Christ is the One who forgives (Jer. 31:34).
Of the world. Christ gives us the means and empowerment to be forgiven, but we must receive it and repent of our sins (John 3:16).
Did not know him. Christ can only be identified by the Holy Spirit's unveiling Him to us. Here, publicly and in our salvation, the Holy Spirit proceeds our accepting of Christ as Savior (Luke 1:36-45).
Spirit come down from heaven as a dove. The meekness of God's power—ultimate power under ultimate control that is shown as gentle (Isa. 11:2; Mark 1:10).
Baptize with the Holy Spirit. Biblical baptism was meant to signify one's new birth in Christ and never intended to be a ritual. Cleansed by the Spirit, we have to proclaim our commitment to the Kingdom of God by good deeds and holy living (Luke 11:13; John 3: 3-6; 14: 16, 26; 16:7; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-3; 19:1-2; Rom. 8:26-27; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:3,13; 15:45; Gal. 5:13-26; Eph. 3:17; 1 John 2:1; Rev. 3:20).
Spirit…remain. This is a proclamation that the Messianic era had come. This was a fulfillment of prophecy that the Holy Spirit will be poured out to all who believe. In the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit came and went; now, He stays to show us the Lord and empower us for service.
Son of God. The title defines his humanity and divinity. As human, he identified with us and paid the price for our sins. Yet he is God and the eternal Son. He is distinguished from the Father and the Holy Spirit – three persons in One God, which is the concept of trinity (2 Sam. 7:13-14; Psalm 2:7; Matt. 3:17; 11:11-14; Mark 15:39; John 1:12; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 4:14-16; 1 John 1:7; 4:15; 5:5).
This passage illustrates the character of Jesus -- his humility, spirit of sacrifice, and his role as the sin-bearer. Like the Lamb brought to the altar, he is the picture of perfect obedience to God’s will. And obedience unto death! 
The question: If we trust in Christ, and understand His character, how should we live? Like him, faithful unto death!   

(Simplified and adapted)