From 842a7e9f3352d32fca179d537fe914c8d447cab8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:38:47 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] John 1:19-28 --- content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md | 35 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 35 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md b/content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72f798b --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/john/1:19-34.md @@ -0,0 +1,35 @@ ++++ +title = "John 1:19–28" +date = "2025-11-28" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John1.19-28) + +I find it interesting that the Gospel of John talks a lot about John the Baptist in this first chapter, but doesn't go into details about who he was or what he was preaching to the people. +We get insights into his role in redemptive history, but not much else. +Compare to the Synoptic Gospels, particularly Luke, where we get an idea of his message and why people thought he was a big deal. +Instead, we get the reaction of the religious leaders first. +They recognize that John is drawing crowds, preaching, and baptizing people. +Perhaps they can even tell there is something like a spiritual revival happening, and they want to know more. +Remember that all the Jews are expecting the Messiah to show up at any time. +God hasn't sent a prophet for 400 years, and the Romans are oppressing their country, so any indication that God is working in people's lives would be welcome. + +So, they ask John, "Who are you?" +John knows what he is supposed to do, but actually gives a wrong answer to them. +He denies being the Christ, or Messiah—correct. +He denies being Elijah—literally correct, but metaphorically incorrect. +He also denies being the Prophet, that is, the "prophet like Moses" who was to come. ([_Deut. 18:15_](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy18.15)) +We know that John is the "Elijah who is to come" because Jesus says to the crowd that he did in Matthew 11:14, even though he is not literally Elijah, nor a reincarnation of him or anything like that. + +John instead says he is the messenger, or herald, of the Messiah. +He quotes Isaiah as his commission to "make straight the way of the Lord". +Whenever dignitaries or officials travelled, they would send a forerunner ahead to the town or manor where they would be staying the night. +This messenger would announce the impending arrival of the personage and make sure that everything was in order for them and their entourage to be comfortable and cared for. +Even today, state visits are formal occasions, and a lot of planning and preparations are done to make sure everything goes correctly. +This was John's role: to prepare the hearts of those who would soon see the Messiah so that they would react appropriately. +The Pharisee's thought they were ready. +They didn't understand God's true purpose in sending John or the Messiah. + +* * * + +Prepare our hearts to be Your temple, to be worthy of Your dwelling place.