It is easy to miss how this crazy John the Baptist fits into the life of Jesus. Yet, he is vitally important to understanding the purpose and direction of the Messiah's life. One question directed our study: Where is John pointing us?
A Confession: John is greeted in a not so warm way by priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem. There basic interrogation: 'John, who do you think you are?' And his response is denial after denial. John is clear about who he is not. 'Guys, I am not the one you are looking for. I cannot be your savior because I am not the savior.' John is the first prophet to come along in 400 years - gathering a nice following - and he is unwilling to call himself somebody great. More than that, he says that he is not even worthy to untie the sandals of "he who comes after me." That might not mean much to us, but it was considered disgraceful for even a slave to remove a person's shoes in that culture. He makes the gap between himself and Jesus huge. He is a voice pointing away from himself.
A Baptism: So, why do these guys seem mad at John? Well, a lot of it has to do with him baptizing people. It helps to remember where we are at in the history of God working out salvation for his people: Christ has not yet been crucified and raised from the dead (see Romans 6). The baptism we practice is different from what they had in mind at this time. If you were born and raised as a Jew, you would never imagine undergoing the kind of ritual baptism John is practicing. It wasn't for the people who were already 'in God's family.' If you were a non-Jew (Gentile), you would likely undergo a cleansing baptism as a proselyte before entering the Jewish community. It was a means of bringing you into the community of God's people. However, John is proclaiming that everyone needs to repent and be baptized! And his physical location is important as well - "Bethany across the Jordan." He is just outside the Promised Land - the wilderness. He is inviting Israel to reconsider their own hearts and history.
This history is one where they were brought out of slavery in Egypt, and the Lord provided for Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. John is signaling that a greater Exodus now needs to happen. One that will take people out of slavery to sin, purify them by the Spirit Jesus will bring, and welcome them into the rest of God. He is telling people that they are geographically in the wrong place and spiritually lost. The message is the same for us. We need to be relieved of bondage and cleansed.
A Proclamation John is not only denying and baptizing as a way to point people to the coming Christ, but he is also proclaiming a message, the purpose of his ministry. He is "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." It may not seem like it on the surface, but John is really giving us the same Good News in another form. When Isaiah was writing, the people of God were in exile and were longing for the time when they could return home. "Make straight" is basically saying 'flatten a road out from Babylon to Jerusalem! My people need a route to carry them back home.' The Lord was longing to be near his people. The people of Israel desired to return to the place where they were not outsiders. This is the home the Lord provides in Christ. We love to experience the kind of national belonging that the Olympics can generate. How much more can we rejoice in being citizens of this kingdom? A kingdom that is breaking into the world, establishing peace, justice, and human flourishing forever.
Take Home
Questions:
- Why are John's denials important? How can what we deny, and say about ourselves, serve to point to Christ?
- As you think about the Gospel, which picture do you identify with you more: that Jesus cleanses us, rescues us from slavery, or makes a way for us to come home? What about your story makes this picture more applicable?
- Think about the life of John the Baptist: what did he have to give up and/or risk to play his role in the history of God's redemption? What is your role?
Please contact me by phone or email if you have any questions or prayer
requests.
Blessings,
Dagan Mayfield
806.224.3148
dmayfield@cornerstonepca.org
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