John the Baptist's Identity and the Lamb of God (John 1:19-34)
This sermon explores how John the Baptist’s identity was shaped not by self-regard, but by his unwavering focus on Jesus Christ. It invites us to consider how such a profound external devotion can lead to both humility and courageous purpose.
John the Baptist's humble yet supremely confident identity stems from his unwavering focus on Jesus as the divine Lamb of God. This external devotion enables a unique blend of modesty and courageous purpose, making him a powerful 'voice' for the greatest message.
Overview
This sermon explores the identity of John the Baptist as presented in John chapter 1, focusing on his view of himself and his pivotal role in revealing Jesus. It highlights the season of Epiphany, when the church traditionally examines the life and identity of Jesus, introducing him as the "Lamb of God."
The sermon first examines John's self-perception, noting his adamant denials of being the Messiah, Elijah, or "the Prophet." While Jesus later affirmed John's unmatched greatness, John himself possessed a profound lack of self-absorption, not seeing his own significance because his gaze was directed elsewhere. This challenges modern notions of self-esteem.
Next, the sermon contrasts this with John's clear and emphatic view of Jesus. John identifies Jesus as the divine "Lord" prophesied in Isaiah 40, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, and someone so transcendent that John is unworthy to untie his sandals. This demonstrates Jesus's immense superiority, shattering conventional social categories.
This external focus produces a unique personality: humble boldness. John’s radical act of baptizing Jews and Gentiles alike, signifying universal uncleanness and grace, demonstrates his fearless confidence. His power and "glorious enthusiasm" flow from his devotion to the great object outside himself—his cause and his God—making him an unstoppable "voice."
Key points
- John the Baptist, questioned by Jewish leaders about his identity, denies being the Messiah, Elijah, or "the Prophet."
- He defines himself as "the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make straight the way for the Lord" (John 1:23).
- Though Jesus affirmed John's exceptional greatness, John's self-assessment was diminished due to his complete focus on Jesus, not on himself.
- John clearly identifies Jesus as divine (Lord from Isaiah 40), the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, and so superior that John is unworthy to untie his sandals.
- This external focus fostered John's "humble boldness," enabling his radical act of baptizing all people as unclean, signifying universal salvation by grace.
- His "glorious enthusiasm" and strength derived from devotion to the great objects outside himself: his cause and his God, particularly Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
- Christians, understanding the cross and resurrection, possess the capacity for even greater joy and enthusiasm than John the Baptist.
In Tim Keller's words
“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make straight the way for the Lord.”
“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
“I am nobody special, but the one I serve is. I am not great, but the message I bring is the greatest thing in the world.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Season of Epiphany and Jesus as the Lamb of God
- II. John's View of Himself
- A. The Investigative Team's Questions
- B. John's Denials
- C. Jesus' Higher Assessment of John's Greatness (Matthew 11)
- D. John's Lack of Self-Absorption, Not Low Self-Esteem
- III. John's View of Jesus
- A. Applying Isaiah 40: The Divine Lord
- B. The Baptizer with the Holy Spirit
- C. Unworthy to Untie His Sandals: Ultimate Transcendence
- IV. The Resulting Personality: Humble Boldness
- A. The Paradox: Low Self-Regard, Supreme Confidence
- B. John's Radical Baptism and Its Meaning
- C. The Source of His Confidence: Devotion to Great Objects Outside Himself
- D. Boldness Without Personal Vengeance
- V. What This Means for Us: Grasping the Lamb of God
- A. Behold the Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World
- B. Connecting Passover and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)
- C. The "Least in the Kingdom" Greater Than John (Matthew 11)
- D. Becoming a Voice: Unstoppable Power of the Gospel
Scripture references
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
1 The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and his inheritance.
2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Insights
A deep focus on Christ allows humility and confidence to coexist.
True greatness flows from devotion to something far beyond oneself.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
Questions & answers
Why did John the Baptist deny being Elijah if Jesus later said he was?
John's self-assessment was diminished not by low self-esteem, but by his complete focus on Jesus. He genuinely did not see his own greatness, as he was not looking at himself at all.
What does John the Baptist mean by calling Jesus 'the Lamb of God'?
This title connects Jesus to the Passover lamb, whose blood spared Israel's firstborn, and to Isaiah 53's suffering servant, 'led like a lamb to the slaughter.' It signifies Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
How does John the Baptist's 'humble boldness' differ from typical confidence?
John's boldness did not stem from personal ego or self-regard, but from his complete devotion to the greatness of Jesus and the message he proclaimed. This allowed him to be courageous without arrogance or personal vengeance.
What was radical about John the Baptist's practice of baptism?
Traditionally, only Gentiles converting to Judaism were baptized as a sign of cleansing. John's baptism of both Jews and Gentiles was radical because it declared everyone unclean and in need of God's grace, making all equal before the Messiah.
The sermon mentions 'the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.' What does this mean?
Jesus states that Christians, by understanding Jesus's work through the cross and resurrection (knowledge John didn't yet have), have the capacity to grasp Jesus's greatness even more profoundly than John did, leading to greater joy and enthusiasm.
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