John 1:19-28

We need to prepare our hearts and minds this Lenten Season for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep your lamps filled with oil for we do not know when that day will arrive.

Life, at times, appears to fall to pieces. It seems irreparable. But it’s going to be okay. How can you know? Because, as John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world.”

John 5:26 confirms for us: “The Father has life in himself.” He is God! And God loves you. Max Lucado

On the edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
I pray that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm's way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.
I pray that all the "God talk"
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.
Some say there is no hope,
but then I've always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God......
that we can truly love one another.
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
by Ann Barr Weems

John 1:19-28

19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The New King James Version

The Jews refers to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. John often uses this label to categorize those who are opposed to Jesus and His ministry. While the term can be used in a neutral or even a positive sense, the prevailing connotation with the expression is “unbelieving Jews.”

This line of questioning reflects the varying categories of messianic expectation in the Second Temple period. Since John denied being the Messiah or his forerunner, Elijah, he is asked whether he is the prophet Moses predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15–18. John disclaims this role as well, showing complete humility in his calling. He understands that his office is to point to the Messiah and lead people to repent. Faithlife Study Bible

Christ is the Word; John the Baptist was the voice. When pressed to identify himself, John the Baptist claimed that he was the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3. In Isaiah’s day there were few roads. When a king traveled, roads were built so that the royal chariot would not have to travel over rough terrain or be stuck in the mud. Isaiah was saying that before God appeared to manifest His glory, a voice would be heard, inviting Israel to make straight the way by which God Himself would come. John was identifying himself as that voice calling people to make straight the way of the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible

John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,”Says the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.’ ”

Mark 1:8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”