I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.
John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. He said - I am not the Christ… I am the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”
Some of the religious leaders questioned why he was baptizing people if he wasn’t the Christ. John answers: I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.
When Jesus came to John to be baptized by him, he knew He was the One.
I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
John the Baptizer is the forerunner for Jesus the Baptizer. Man can only baptize in water, but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
The word baptize means to immerse, submerge, overwhelm. A Christian is one who is not only immersed in water but one who is immersed in the life of the Spirit – the life God provides.
Jesus brings the gift of God Himself to those who follow Him.
They went out to question John - but how interested were they really?
ReplyDeleteThey actually were sent by someone else they had to have an answer for - which also leads one to believe that those who sent them weren't concerned enough to go and see and hear for themselves.
Their questions seem insincere, and they don't seem to listen except for the part where John says he is not the Christ.
They surely don't seem to stick around for the next day when john sees Jesus and points him out.
As well, from the questions and tests they send Jesus' way in the future it is clear they didn't believe John that Jesus was the Christ.
Yet - John tells them the truth. John lays it out for them. He isn't afraid to speak up and explain.
Ever had someone question you about your beliefs and know they aren't serious? How do we handle that? Do we speak up and tell them, or glaze over and blow them off?
We need to speak the truth about our Teacher and savior and God - no matter the intent or sincerity of those asking.