Daily Devotions
John
An evaluation of the ministry of John the Baptiser
Text: John 3:22-36
AN EVALUATION OF THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER
The author John devoted quite a bit of space to the ministry of John the Baptiser. We can well understand why. Let us take time to evaluate the significance of the ministry of John the Baptizer.
1. John as the Forerunner of the Messiah
John was first and foremost the forerunner of the Messiah. His testimony was important. What he said about Jesus was of great significance because he fulfilled the ministry of the forerunner (Cf. Isaiah 40:1-5; Malachi 4:5-6).
One of the tasks as the forerunner was to anoint Jesus for His public ministry. This John did, even though he felt totally unworthy to anoint Jesus!
2. John the Powerful Preacher
John was also very effective as a preacher. To make much of his ministry was good and correct. Many people flocked to hear John preach the Word of God.
As the crowds came, John preached that the Messiah was coming soon. Many believed him and were baptized. When Jesus appeared on the scene, John pointed Him out to the multitudes and his own disciples. Many then began to follow Jesus. The first disciples of Jesus were recruited from those who had followed the teachings of this prophet who preached in the wilderness!
3. John the Teacher
John knew the Scriptures well. In particular he had a very high Christological perspective in his life and ministry. He was able to hold his own against the Jews who came to interview him and to investigate his ministry.
He was able to teach his disciples in some depth about the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ! John contributed quite significantly to the ministry of Jesus!
4. John the Witness
John was a very faithful and consistent witness of Jesus the Messiah. He maintained consistency as a witness of Jesus!
A SUMMARY OF THE TEACHINGS OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER
Let us take time to make a list of the things that John the Baptizer taught concerning Jesus the Messiah.
1. The Greatness of Jesus
“There stands One among you whom you do not know.
It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
John 1:26,27
2. The Lamb of God
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
This is he of whom I said,
‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.”
John 1:29-30
3. The Spirit-filled Messiah
“And John bore witness, saying,
‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,
and He remained upon Him.’ “
John 1:32
“And I have seen and testified
that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:34
“For He whom God has sent speaks the Word of God,
for God does not give the Spirit (to Him) by measure.”
John 3:34
4. Jesus spoken of as The Bridegroom
“He who has the bride is the Bridegroom…”
John 3:29
5. Jesus as He who came from heaven
“He who comes from above is above all…”
John 3:31
6. Jesus as the unique Son of God who proclaims the very words of the Father
“He whom God has sent speaks the words of God…”
John 3:34
“The Father loves the Son,
and has given all things into His hand…”
John 3:35
7. Jesus as the Giver of Eternal Life
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life…”
John 3:36
These were great truths that John proclaimed publicly. He also set aside time to teach his followers in greater depth all these deep truths!
JOHN’S PERSONAL ASSESSMENT OF HIS MINISTRY
John’s ministry was obviously significant, and thus John highlighted it in his Gospel. The author John was deeply impressed with the Baptizer for he had been his teacher before he found faith in Jesus the Messiah.
The author John paid high tribute to Jesus when he recorded the words of John concerning how he saw Jesus the Messiah. May our hearts be moved to emulate his example.
1. The deep humility of John
The genuine humility of John the Baptizer must be noted. How did John see himself. He spoke of himself as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness…” (John 1:23).
2. The Friend of the Bridegroom
“The friend of the Bridegroom,
who stands and hears him,
rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice…”
John 3:29
3. He desired to do nothing but exalt Jesus and debase self
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:30