Like the overture to a symphony, John’s first chapter introduces themes he will revisit throughout his gospel.
When this gospel was written, John the Baptist still had a large and devoted following. In fact, today’s passage begins at the height of the Baptist’s popularity. But the Apostle John wanted to make an important point: The Baptist never sought celebrity. Instead, he knew his calling as God’s prophet announcing the coming of Messiah.
Originally delivered as the Sunday morning message for New Hope Chapel, Arnold, In this twenty-minute multi-media presentation, John the Baptist’s testimony as well as Nathanael’s–a rabbinical student–are presented.
Jesus is the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who will die for the sins of the world, and also God the Son who will reveal God and baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the reader of hearts and discerner of souls, he knows you and me better than we know ourselves. Jesus is the King of Israel, the true anointed one, the King of all kings, reigning for eternity, yet he is also this humble stairway, hidden in plain sight, connecting lowly earth with lofty heaven.
I Who is John the Baptist? John 1:19-28
Knowing who we are in relationship to Jesus gives us courage.
II Where is the Lamb of God? John 1:29-36
Jesus, God the Son, is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
III What Is Your Quest? John 1:37-51
The stairway to heaven is Jesus, Son of God and Son of Humanity, connecting God with people.
[Title Plate “Gospel of John” | Oarabile Mudongo, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
John the Baptist, great prophet of God, great video. 👍
Thank you! And yes, he was a great prophet.
Our church is teaching through the Gospel of John, so when it is my turn to teach, I am posting the talks.