John 1:24-28 - The Baptism of John

John 1:24-28

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Message: The Baptism of John

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: The one's that are questioning John are sent from the Pharisees. The Pharisees were concerned about the keeping of the Law and therefore their lives were very clearly lived in piety, being religious or reverent and people looked at them for this example. There is a danger in being a Pharisee or like a Pharisee in that your strict observance sets you apart and makes you seem holier than others. It brings upon a person a feeling of elitism. I am not saying that this was the life of those that were questioning John, for here they could simply be trying to figure out what is going on and because of their questions, our God is using the words from John to help us better understand his role in being a forerunner of Jesus. He states that he "baptizes in water." Earlier in verse 7, the author stated of him, "He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him." And in verse 23, he says he is, "“I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord" as he echoes the words of Isaiah the prophet. 

Thus, he is a witness. He is testifying about the Light (the Word) so that all might believe through him. Him being the Light, the Word. He is a voice. He is baptizing. He wants to make straight the way of Jehovah (again, not sure in this moment if he is inferring that the Lord and Jesus are the same). 

And now John mentions "One." Thus far, we have seen the Word, the Light, Him, and now One.  

Looking on further at this text it is important to further look at the Pharisees. In Mark, we see a little more information about baptism. Mark 1:4 states, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." I've studied this passage previously and at the time felt like this was a baptism of preparation. That said, I must admit John coming to preach has never been an issue with me, but him baptism in anticipation of Jesus coming to an audience that is leaning on a promise or maybe does not have much information of him does seem a little baffling to me. And yet, maybe I struggle with this because I do not quite understand what it was like to leave at that time. 

The Pharisees obviously had heard of him baptizing. Jesus was living and on the scene and so John was getting people ready for Jesus. I do think that there is something significance about this act in testifying of the importance of an action to confirm faith. I do not believe baptism saves or is involved in saving, but it is obedience and action that is important. It is a visual picture of sins being forgiven. The Pharisees were into holiness but only holiness that they define, so they were leery of this and questioning it. 

And then to proclaim that John is not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandal is a way for John to express that he is of less value than a slave. John is a voice to people of the way of the Lord and yet He is not worthy to be this. So there is nothing about him baptizing. The person baptizing is not of importance. The baptism is what is important. 

I saw this statement here:

Jewish people in John’s day practiced baptism. It was an outgrowth of ceremonial washings, but only for Gentiles who wanted to become Jews. In submitting to John’s baptism, a Jew had to identify with Gentile converts. This was a genuine sign of repentance.

This says baptism is only for Gentiles to become Jews. And yet John is asking all to be baptized. Thus, the Jew would need to identify that they need to be baptized. 

Summary: John’s baptism demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. 

Promise: Whether we are speaking of Christ to our children, our neighbors, or anyone else, we should be declaring Him and what He has done, not promoting ourselves.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am still learning this lesson and there are still parts I am trying to understand more fully. Help me understand and put together the importance of John baptizing and what it meant. Lord, I pray that you would help me to value and encourage baptism.