John 1:25-28

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.

“Why are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” It’s as if they are saying, “You are no one important! What gives you the right to baptize people?” This is the question that the messengers sent by the Pharisees are asking in verse 25. This is interesting for two reasons. First, it seems that they already know something about baptism. And they must expect the Messiah to baptize when He comes, or else why would they ask this question in this way. The Jews practiced ceremonial/ritual washing to remove uncleanness, but it never said that it was to remove sin, and it wasn’t a complete immersion. And, each person washed himself/herself in the ritual cleansings, but John was doing the “washing” in this scenario. This was something new to the Jews, but with a hint of familiarity. And, it also seems like they think that “the Christ” and “the Prophet” are two different people who are coming. We know that “the Prophet” and “the Christ” are one and the same.

In verse 26 and 27, John continues to downplay himself, and elevate the Messiah. This the third time we see John the baptizer’s status lowered. It happened once when the writer said that he was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. (John 1:8)  It happened a second time when John answered “no” when his interrogators asked him if he was the Christ. (John 1:20) Now he says, paraphrasing, “I baptize with water, but He who comes after me is so much greater than I am. I am not worthy to even loosen His sandal strap.” John is saying, “I am nothing compared to Jesus, but I’m here to point Him out to you”. Then, there is the part in verse 26 where John says that there is One who stands among you that you don’t know. He is saying, paraphrasing, “He is One of you, a Jew, but you don’t know Him. He is walking among you at this time in history. But…..you don’t know who He is yet, because He hasn’t made Himself known to the public yet.” I wonder if he was implying that they would never know Him. Was this John’s way of telling them that they were going to reject Him? This account is found in Matthew 3:7-12, Mark 1:6-8, and Luke 3:7-18. There is a whole lot more to this account than what John records in these verses. John had a lot more to say to these messengers than is recorded here. That is why we have four gospels to study and compare. John calls the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Brood of vipers” in both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts. Of course, we know from the Gospel of John that the Pharisees were not actually there, but had sent priests and Levites to question John for them. I’m sure they did not like it when their messengers returned to tell them all that John the baptizer had to say in his “brood of vipers” speech. This is the full discourse of what John the baptizer said according to the Gospel of Matthew,  “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:7-12) Wow! He really told them how it was going to be! It is almost as if John knows that these are the ones who will reject the Messiah. No, they didn’t know Jesus, and they didn’t want to know Jesus, and John seemed to know it. All this happened beyond the Jordan near Bethabara, where John was baptizing. 

As we travel through the gospel of John, we will see that the religious leaders of the day had a picture of what they wanted in a Messiah. Jesus would not fit that description, so they crucified Him. Isn’t this true today? The “Jesus” of the Bible is not the “Jesus” that so many claim to follow today. We can’t claim to know Jesus, but at the same time reject His teachings and commandments. Jesus came to save us, but He set the terms of salvation. I can’t decide how I want to be saved. Jesus tells me how to be saved. I can’t make up my own rules about how to live as a Christian. Jesus tells me how to live as a Christian. I can’t begin to live up to it. I know that. But that doesn’t mean I can make it up as I go. I just have to try my very best to live the way He lived, treat others the way He treated them, and speak the truth the way He did. My best will never be good enough. No one’s will. And this is why He had to die for us. Let’s just all make sure we are following the real Jesus, and not trying to make Him into someone more suited to our way of life. I’ve been guilty of this in my past without even realizing it. Let’s conform our lives to Jesus instead of trying to conform Jesus to our lives. 

Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? If you aren’t, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are…..believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we remain faithful in our commitment to Christ until death. (Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 2:20-22)