John's Messianic Preaching (Part 2) - John 1:19–28

     For continuity’s sake and ease of reading - I’ll submit comments on the entire section, 1:19 thru verse 28. You’ve already seen comments on verse 19 through about verse 22 or so…

     John’s ministry was received well by the general populace but not by everybody. John had his critics who tried to discredit him. Anyone who speaks highly of Jesus Christ will be opposed one way or another by the ungodly world.
     The elders in the critics. “The Jews sent priests and Levites … to ask him … they which were sent were of the Pharisees” (John 1:19, 24). The term “the Jews” generally refers not to all people of the land but to the rulers or elders—particularly the religious officials who ruled the Israelites under the Roman control. That the critics of John’s ministry were the religious leaders is not surprising, for this bunch is notorious for opposing any testimony for Jesus Christ.
     The earnestness of the critics. “The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to … Bethbara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing” (John 1:19, 28). The critics showed their earnestness by traveling a good distance (50 to 60 miles) to attack John. The enemy of good always seems to be more earnest than those who will define truth and righteousness.
     The examining by the critics. “Who art thou?” (John 1:19). “Why baptizest thou?” (John 1:25). The identity of John and the authority of John were going to be challenged. This was the critics’ attempt to belittle John and his ministry. The critics put great emphasis on your rank and authority. John was not functioning under their authority and that upset them.
     The exasperation of the critics. “I am not the Christ … I am not [Elijah] … Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest though of thyself” John 1:20–22). When John kept telling his inquirers that he was not Christ or one of the prophets, the critics got upset and repeated their question inquiring of his identity “that we may give an answer to them that sent us.”
     The explaining to the critics. John’s explanation of his identity was not what the critics wanted. They wanted something that they could use to discredit John. First, the explanation was humble. “What sayest thou of thyself” (John 1:22). John gave a brief answer about himself and concentrated and talked about the Master. Most men when asked “what sayest thou of thyself” would have given a long talk about themselves. People like to talk about themselves and many preachers show that fact in the pulpit. Second, explanation was honest. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23). John spoke the truth. He did not embellish his performance. Third, the explanation was holy. “As said the prophet Isaiah” (John 1:23). John’s answer was holy, for it came from the Holy Scriptures.
     The exposing of the critics. “Whom ye know not” (John 1:26). The fact that the critics questioned John as they did showed that they did not know Christ. What a shame that the leaders of the land were ignorant of the most important Person of all. Times have not changed. It is still true throughout the world that most leaders of the nations and of religion do not know Jesus Christ correctly.
     The exalting before the critics. “He … is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose” (John 1:27). Rather than exalt himself, John exalted Jesus. He exalted Jesus so highly above himself when he said he was not worthy to unloose the shoe latchets on Christ’s shoes. None of us are. You cannot exalt self and Christ at the same time.