READ: John 1:19-28: “… The voice of one crying in the wilderness …”
In the previous verses, the main lines of Christ’s work of redemption were set out, as the Word become flesh, the Light shining in the darkness. The rest of the book elaborates on this.
Immediately in verse 19, the testimony of John the Baptist is discussed (compare v. 6–8, 15). He is the forerunner of Christ, not Christ Himself. He comes to testify about Him and announce Him as a herald.
That is also his answer to the question from the priests and Levites, who belonged to the Pharisees and had been sent to John the Baptist by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Apparently, there is some unrest about the influence
John is having on the people through his preaching and baptizing. They want to be sure that his contribution aligns with the laws and regulations of their time. There is also a question about his identity: is he Elijah, who returns to earth to announce the Messiah (Mal. 4:5,6), or the Messiah Himself, or “the Prophet” (Deut. 18:18)?
John gives a careful answer. He is none of the three mentioned. Yet the delegates are not satisfied. Why then does John baptize if he is not the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet?
It is clear that the delegates are not rightly connecting Isaiah 40, Malachi 4, and Deuteronomy 18 with the coming of the Messiah. Therefore, they view John’s baptizing as more or less illegal.
But John’s answer is even more puzzling to them. He speaks of Someone they do not know, who is, in fact, right among them (“in your midst”). At the same time, this Person is so exalted that John does not even consider himself worthy to perform the lowest task for Him, namely untying His sandals.
And then comes the message: “He who comes after me has surpassed me.” While John speaks of the Messiah with reverence and awe and attributes divine dignity to Him, he makes it clear to them that, despite all their learning, they still understand nothing about this.
Why is this story important for us?
Sing: Ps. 89:7