It hasn't been long since we last read about the John the Baptist. The Jews came to Him (chapter 1) to determine His identity and challenge His baptizing authority. John's answer was simple: "I'm not the Christ, but I'm His forerunner." Then Jesus of Nazareth stepped out of the crowd and John exclaimed (John 1:29): "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." And John humbly, almost reluctantly, baptized the Messiah. The Heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended, and God thundered, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased." The next day, John unselfishly pointed two of his disciples to Jesus, Andrew the brother of Peter, and John, the author of our Gospel. He repeated those powerful words: "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
Fast-forward a few weeks, just past the Passover, and we find in John 3:22-36 that the stories of the Baptizer and the Messiah intersect again!
My outline for this account of magnificent humility and saving identiity:
The Baptizer makes way for the Messiah (we'll unpack this by comparing three pairs of people). 1. (vv.25-30) The Bridegroom and His Best Man (John's illustration of Jesus and John) 2. (v.31-35) The Heavenly Man and the Earthly Man (the earthly man's not bad, but he's not Jesus!) 3. (v.36) The Believing Man and the Judged Man (don't forget that this entire Gospel's goal is faith in Jesus!)
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
