John 1:19-34 - Who is the Messiah?

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Today we're reading John 1:19-34. John the Baptist must have greatly troubled the religious authorities in Jerusalem. They sent a powerful delegation to question him, much as they would with Jesus over the next few years. Priests, Levites and Pharisees came together, the old authorities and the new combined.

He told them very clearly that he was not the Messiah, nor Elijah (though Jesus later says he was) nor the Prophet (probably implying Moses). Note that Elijah and Moses were seen with Jesus during the transfiguration.

And John told them plainly that his role was to prepare the way for the far greater one who was soon to come. And when Jesus did come, although John didn't recognise him directly, he said that "the one who sent me to baptise told me that the coming and remaining Spirit would be the one".

The other things John tells us about Jesus is that he is Elohim's Lamb (a sacrifice offered not by mankind but by the Most High himself), that he will take away sin, that he will baptise with the Holy Spirit and that he is Elohim's chosen One.

So we see here Jesus finally revealed. John has not only announced that the kingdom of heaven is here and called them to repent and baptised them with water, he has also identified the Messiah and announced his presence. And although the gospel writer doesn't mention this (but the other gospels writers do), the fact that Jesus was baptised by John shows how closely the Messiah identifies with the people. So closely that he shares in their sign of repentance and their act of baptism.

Jesus is the promised One, he identifies with us and shares in our experiences, and he offers to baptise us in the Holy Spirit. That is all we really need to know about him. So already John has outlined the good news for us and has now introduced us to the nature of Jesus. So much in just 34 short verses!

The scene is now set. If we are to follow Jesus and represent him in our broken world, we need to begin by understanding who he is. And John has told us quite plainly.

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Matthew 17:1-13 - Jesus' glory revealed

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Matthew 17:1-13 is about the transfiguration of Jesus. He goes up the mountain with his closest followers (Peter, James and John) and while they are there he appears in glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah. Not only that, the Father speaks from the skies, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

This must have been a confusing and terrifying ordeal for the three disciples. As Jews they would have known that they should not have been able to be in the Presence and live. It's not an experience they would have forgotten!

Is our vision of Jesus even remotely adequate? He is the living Christ, Immanuel (Elohim with us). He is Lord of lords, King of kings, the Son of the Most High. He told Philip, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father" (John 14:9).

No, our view of him is certainly weak and lacking. How desperately we need to see him as he truly is. We need to glimpse him in the way Peter, James and John glimpsed him on that mountain. As our vision of him widens and deepens, so will our walk with him become closer too.

We need this so much. What will you do today to draw closer, to know him better in all his ways, to hear his voice more clearly and to obey more fully? Consider choosing a book about Jesus' life and studying it. ReJesus by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost would be a good place to start, but don't stop there. Try The Jesus I never knew by Philip Yancey, or What Jesus Started by Steve Addison.

If you can recommend other good books on Jesus, please leave details in a comment.

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Matthew 11:1-19 - John the Baptist

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Matthew 11:1-19 is an interesting passage in more ways than one; Jesus says some intriguing things. John the Baptist has some doubts in his mind and wants to know for sure if Jesus is the promised One. It's quite a surprise that he would be unsure after the events of Matthew 3:13-17. Whenever our personal circumstances cause doubts to cross our minds we should remember we are in good company!

Jesus' reply is the same one we need to hear when we doubt - just see what Jesus is doing. He uses the opportunity to probe the hearts of the crowds. What did they expect John to be like? And he tells them that John is more than a prophet.

But although John is truly special, the least in the kingdom is even more special. Are you in the kingdom? If so you are very special.

And when Jesus says, "From the days of John the Baptist", does he mean from the time of Elijah? How is it that "the violent take [the kingdom of heaven] by force"? Is he thinking of John being imprisoned? In verses 16-19, Jesus points out that there's no pleasing people, not eating and drinking is wrong and so is eating and drinking.

In what ways can we be like Jesus? He says he is like the Father (John 14:7, John 14:9) and tells us we are to be sons of the Father too (Matthew 5:44-46).

But in this passage, what words, actions and characteristics of Jesus might we follow? Perhaps we might challenge people by asking them what they expect to see when they go to church. What do they think Jesus is really like? A baby in a manger? A soft and smiling man with long hair and a beard? Someone dying on a cross? Do people really know him? Are we revealing his true nature by what we do and say day by day?

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