March 1, 2015 – John 1:19-28
Download discussion questions: John 1_19-28 testimony of John
Background Resources
John shifts gears (if that is an appropriate metaphor for first-century Palestine?) from his provocative and even mysterious theological and philosophical language about Word and Light and glory and truth and grace. Now he describes a very down-to-earth encounter or confrontation between religious officials and a wandering preacher.
One of the aspects of the passage that gets our attention as Gentiles is the number of references to Judaism. Priests and Levites sent from the Pharisees to ask about Elijah and “the Prophet.” The responses of John the Baptist are short and to the point, emphatically telling them (even before they actually ask) that he is not the Christ, the Messiah, the coming One the Jews were looking for. (This passage is a good example where a cultural and historical resource can be helpful, such as The IVP Bible Background Commentary for the New Testament.)
Part of our group discussion centered on the questions the delegation from Jerusalem was asking. What motivated them? Curiosity? Hope? Fear? Pride? The questions they asked seem designed to fit John into one of their acceptable categories, as defined by their religious framework. One group member commented that if the questions really grew out of hope or expectation, why send a committee? Wouldn’t the Pharisees come to see for themselves (as did some of their number later, like Nicodemus)? But sending subordinates to interrogate the Baptist sounds more like a fear that their religious system might be threatened. While the text of the Gospel of John doesn’t comment, we might assume (and other Gospel writers affirm) that John was drawing large crowds. The pride of the religious leaders might also have been at risk, losing their followers to an unknown preacher.
John the Baptist’s response is a combination of boldness and humility. He finally responded with a dramatic quotation from the book of Isaiah about his role as a forerunner, “crying in the wilderness.” His answer to them centered on Scripture. That amazing declaration, that he was the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, was followed immediately by drawing attention to Someone else. The Baptist does not yet name Jesus, but tells the Jews that He is already in the crowd with them. And he (the Baptist) finishes with emphatic humility. He doesn’t even say that he is unworthy to tie Jesus’ shoes (that would require some minimal ability). He reduces the picture even further, as being unworthy to untie those shoes. He doesn’t even claim the right to tug on Jesus’ shoelace.
Why did the writer of the Gospel include so much about this encounter (and why did we spend over an hour discussing it)? We considered two thoughts. John (the Evangelist) probably had in mind an outline of what he would spend the next twenty chapters writing. The episode with John the Baptist and the committee from the Pharisees sets a stage which will be played on repeatedly through the Gospel. The skepticism eventually grew into the opposition of the Jews to Jesus. Earlier in the chapter, the Evangelist emphasized that “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” The root of all those confrontations start even before Jesus is on the public scene. This passage about John the Baptist will provide helpful background as we see the response to Jesus.
The other discussion centered on the defensiveness of the Jews, and their fear when their faith was threatened. The Baptist certainly didn’t exhibit any fear or defensiveness, but rather a humble confidence. He knew Scripture and he knew at least something about Jesus. The passage can be a model for us in several ways. We should not fear questions about our faith, even when we are the ones asking questions. Questions, doubts, concerns, confusion – these need to be addressed, not repressed. Faith is not, as someone once said, “Believing something you know is not true.” Our faith, like the Baptist’s, can be confident based on the Scripture we have and the God that the Scripture reveals. We can listen to the questions of skeptics, or other believers, or our own heart, and not be defensive. The Jews had an amazing opportunity to learn from someone who did not fit into their religious boxes. Questions (ours or others’) can provide a similar opportunity for us to learn. Our confidence in our faith can be reinforced, and we may even grow in a better and more accurate understanding of our God.