John 1:19-34
RTNT 2021. Today, John’s account of John the Baptist’s ministry and Jesus’ baptism. John the Baptist tells his listeners (very likely, even those sent by the Pharisees) that He has been in communion with the Living God: 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.’ (v. 33) So God Himself has sent John to baptize, with explicit guidance as to why he was baptizing and when he would know the Messiah. This little bit of information puts John the Baptist in a totally different light – he has been sent from God to do what he is doing. I guess we already knew that, but to hear the Baptist’s personal proclamation of this fact strengthens his witness.
My Study Bible offered an interesting observation – the Jews who had been sent from the Pharisees were asking John the Baptist about himself, but he kept answering about Jesus. I just realized that all too often my testimony is more about me than about Jesus – more about events in my life that led me to the Lord or strengthened my faith than testimony about who Jesus is or what He has done. Clearly I need to focus more on Jesus as I share with non-believers.
See also January 19 / John 1:19-28; January 21 / Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34