The Chosen One

Introduction

John’s gospel is intended to convince the reader that Jesus is the Son of God and through faith in him that you may have eternal life. John’s approach is to bring a series of witnesses forward for consideration. There are seven miracles, seven long conversations, a number of people who testify, and ultimately Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. All of this evidence makes it appear that we are at a trial of great interest.

This “trial” is not just any trial. The events have already occurred. The facts are clear. What is left is the reader’s decision about the facts. Like a jury presented with this information every person must decide about the facts. In this case, we are not one of 12 deciding guilt or innocence. Each person must take the facts, the conversations, the miracles, and the death and resurrection and decide life or death not for Jesus but for self. John’s purpose is to persuade us that Jesus is the Christ and that we would choose to place our faith in him. To do so will result in eternal life.

In today’s text, John the Baptizer is called again as a witness. Having already given partial testimony is the prologue, John is called again to finish his testimony. The result is the same. Those who are religious leaders reject John’s testimony as invalid. But others hear his testimony and become convinced that Jesus is the chosen one of God. From the beginning, we are not only presented with the evidence, but we are given the opportunity to see what some do with the evidence when presented. We, too, are given an opportunity in the section that we will study today to decide about Jesus. But the decision for Jesus is not just mental assent. Something changes when we agree that Jesus is the chosen one of God. That something will challenge us today. Let’s be prepared to not just listen but to act upon our decision.

Who Are You?

John’s testimony is straightforward and yet it is not simplistic. We have to think in order to understand his testimony. Some thought John was the chosen one of God. But John clearly denies that role. He is instead the forerunner of the chosen one. His role is to prepare the people for the chosen one. It is a role of humility. It is a role which turns away from the applause of the crowd and tries to focus attention on another. It is a selfless role, but an important one. Jesus, in another gospel account, says that no one greater than John had come into the world.

So John is questioned. Are you the Messiah? No. Verse 21—Are you Elijah? Why would they ask such a thing? Because in Malachi 4, God promises to send Elijah before the great day of the Lord. Elijah was the one who did not die but was taken to be with God by the power of God in 2 Kings 2. John dressed like Elijah according to Matthew 3:4 and 2 Kings 1:8. But those who are well versed in the Bible may see a contradiction. In Mark 9:13, Jesus calls John Elijah and in Luke 1:17, Zechariah is told that his yet born son would be come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Contradiction? No. The people of Israel were looking for the actual person of Elijah. John answers correctly because he understood the intent of the question. But he is indeed the precursor of the one who is announcing the arrival of the Messiah—the Anointed One of God.

Verse 21. Are you the prophet? According to Deuteronomy 18:15, God was going to send a prophet like Moses and that the people were to listen to him. This is the intent of the question. Are you the prophet that we have been expecting? No. Well then who are you? John quotes Isaiah 40. I am the one who is sent before God’s Servant. This quote from Isaiah was originally intended to speak of God’s ability to return Israel from Babylonian captivity. But the point in Isaiah included several chapters later that God would send a special Servant who would lead the people back to God. John says this is his true identity. He is the one who the “voice” to prepare the people for the Servant who is to come.

This is what validates John’s testimony. He has every opportunity to make himself look good. He can accept the applause. Some are willing to follow him no matter the cost, but John turns away from the potential status and instead focuses on Jesus. John testifies that Jesus is so great that he, John, is not able to untie his shoes. Such humility then leads to a statement of truth and fact.

John calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The lamb was used for sacrifice. Not all sacrifices were the same, but when a lamb presented on a special occasion with the right intent and motive brought forgiveness to the family or nation. John is using this same idea to describe Jesus. John is proclaiming Jesus’ intent and purpose and his ability to fulfill that motive. Not an animal to take away sin only to be offered again and again. Not an animal which can only take away the sin of a person, a family or a nation. John is claiming that Jesus is the sacrifice that will take away the sin of all.

One can almost hear an objection. “This is his opinion. We want facts.” John quickly responds. How do I know this to true? Because I saw the sign of the Spirit descend and land on Jesus. This was the sign that God himself had told me would come on the one he had chosen. John says I am an eyewitness to the event and the interpretation is from God himself. Jesus is God’s chosen one. (Isaiah 42:1) While many translations read “Son of God”; the newer translations are using “Chosen One because of the connection to Isaiah. Songs before the Lord’s Supper.

Believable Testimony

I have never been part of a trial. Never served on a jury although I was called up for jury duty but never seated. Never been in a courtroom to be part of a trial. As a teenager, I went to night court 2 or 3 times to watch the proceedings. While interesting, it is not a trial. But the difficult part is to determine if someone’s testimony is believable. How would you know if someone were telling the truth? In a court, people are asked to “swear or affirm” that they will tell the truth. Most probably try to do that.

What makes John believable?

First, he is an eyewitness. He testifies to what he saw and experienced.

Second, he refuses to make himself look better than he is. He is humble. He does not want to be appear to be anything other than what he is—a messenger. A messenger receives no glory. A messenger is a deliverer of news. John delivers good news.

Third, John’s testimony is believable because of the opposition. Those who come out to question him have alternative motives. Verse 22 suggests that there are those who want to know how is it that a man who dresses strangely is getting a following. How is it that man can baptize Jewish faithful? By what authority is this strange man engaging in a ministry in a wilderness?

Fourth, verse 23. John is conducting his ministry in the wilderness or desert. Don’t think Sahara; think deserted place. There is water for John is baptizing. John’s message was plain—There was one coming after him who would bring salvation. Get ready for the Messiah. The desert held special significance for the Jews. It was in the desert that God had delivered his people from the Egyptian army. It was in the desert that God has called the people to follow him. It was in the desert that God was to reveal his glory.

Look at Isaiah 35. While John does not mention Isaiah 35 in this text, the imagery of this text fits the point that John, the writer, is making. It is in the desert that the glory of the Lord will be revealed. It is in the desert that God will bring waters of life. It is in the desert that the Way of Holiness is found. One enters Jerusalem with singing and thanksgiving from the desert. What makes John believable? His message is clear; his humility is evident; his dwelling reveals the intent of God—prepare for the Chosen One. Give your life to him. He alone is worthy of your breath, your energy, your obedience, and your life. Jesus is the one who takes away the sin of the world. Have you brought your sin to him? Invitation.

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