October 22, 2010
REFLECTING CHRIST TO OTHERS
John 1:19-34
Richard Hoppers
Central Truth
Witnessing is reflecting Christ in the words you say and in the actions and deeds of your daily life to those around you.
Key Verse | John 1:23
John said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:23)
John 1:19-34
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight 1 1:23 Or crying out, In the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Behold, the Lamb of God
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 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.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son 2 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One of God.”
Dive Deeper | John 1:19-34
Reflecting Christ to others should be a major goal for me, but one of my biggest challenges is witnessing to strangers. Let’s look at John the Baptist as an example of witnessing.
The priests and Levites ask John the Baptist, "Who are you?” (John 1:19). John answers first by saying who he is not. Then, John describes himself as a voice preparing the people for the Messiah. John was not to be the focus of the people’s attention, but was to shine a bright light on Jesus for all to see and hear. He was a witness—in what he said and the way he lived his daily life.
In humility John relates that he is unworthy to untie the sandal of Jesus. How encouraging for us to see John assuming the purpose God had for him—to glorify Jesus.
Those of us who are Christians should be careful not to appear to take the place of Jesus or to take any of the light off of Him. John’s objective was to introduce Jesus to the world. He was the herald announcing the King. Doesn’t this sound like something we should and can do?
We even see how John announced the coming of Jesus. John introduces Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), the ultimate sacrifice for our sins on Calvary’s cross. John proclaimed that this is the Son of God. He used the legal term “testified” (John 1:34), which shows how strongly John feels about who Jesus is. How strongly do we feel about who Jesus is?
The opportunity to see God’s creation while backpacking reinforces my belief of how powerful a witness His creation can be to all mankind. It is easier for me to witness to strangers when I remember that it is not about me, but that the Holy Spirit working through me will accomplish God’s purpose.
Like the witness of John and God’s creation, how are we doing in being the voice crying out to those around us about this Jesus?
Discussion Questions
1. In what situations and to whom do I find it most difficult to witness?
2. What are the witnessing opportunities in my daily life? Develop and implement a plan for witnessing to two of these opportunities.
3. What do I need to start or stop doing to better reflect Christ in my daily life to those around me?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How did God reveal to John who Jesus, the chosen one of God, was (verses 32, 33)?
2. What did John claim the “Lamb of God” would do (verse 29)?
3. What does Scripture mean when it says, Jesus “takes away the sin of the world”? (Answer: He took away the penalty for our sins, and when we stand before Him in eternity, our sins are gone.) Read Romans 3:23-26.