THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

John 1:19-28 / Keywords 1:23

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

 

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

1:19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders[c] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[d]

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[e] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Footnotes

c. John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.

d. John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3

e. John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)

1. John the Baptist came as a voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. Many people came into the wilderness to hear John speak and be baptized. Like Jesus, John taught repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He also urged those in positions of power to care for and not take advantage of those in need (Lk 3). He made disciples and even challenged religious authority.

 

2. John the Baptist was a great man of God, but he was humble enough to let his followers know that he was just preparing the way for the Messiah.

 

3. It can be tempting to claim ourselves as the ones who can save another person. Even as Christians who proclaim Jesus as Lord, how easy it is to take it upon ourselves to control the outcomes of another soul. Like John, we must know our limits and boundaries. Only then can the Holy Spirit work to really bring about new life in each person, beyond our imagination or desires.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for sending your people to share the gospel. May Jesus be our true shepherd and source of life-changing power and salvation.

One Word Make straight the way for the Lord