Sermon Tone Analysis

Today we are continuing our study of The Gospel According to John.

We will be looking specifically at John 1:29-34.

I encourage you to open your bibles to that passage.

If you are following along on your mobile device using the Faithlife Bible, or Logos Bible app, you can click the link at the bottom of the screen to go to the passage.

We are going to read about John the Baptist’s testimony concerning Jesus.

Remember, the Gospel According to John was written by John, the disciple.

The account we are reading in John chapter 1, is about John the Baptist.

Two different men.

Let’s read it together.

Pray

“I myself did not know him...”

What do you think of this phrase, “I myself did not know him?”

Why would John say such a thing?

Did he not know Jesus?

Think back with me.

Who was John’s mother?

Who was Jesus’ mother?

What was their relationship?

Anyone remember what happened when Mary went to stay with Elizabeth after she learned she was going to bear Jesus, the Son of God? Look back at Luke 1:39-41.

Even in the womb, the baby John the Baptist knew Jesus.

We do not have other interactions from their childhood recorded, however, I don’t doubt that Jesus and John had some interactions.

The next recorded interaction we have is in Matthew 3. We will begin reading in verse 11.

John recognized the baby Jesus in his mother’s womb while he was yet in the womb?

How?

According to Luke 1:15

He was filled with the Holy Spirit who reveals truth, from the time he was in the womb!

He knew Jesus even then!

Before Jesus came, John was fully aware of his mission.

He was the forerunner.

He knew there would be one who was greater, the Lord God Himself come as a man, who would begin his ministry shortly!

He knew he was the lesser, and hence wanted to identify himself with Jesus through baptism, rather than baptise Jesus.

So, if John the Baptist did know Jesus, why did he say he did not know him in the passage in John 1, which occured after he baptised Jesus?

What is interesting is that if you look at different translations, about half are worded ‘know’, and the other half are worded ‘recognize’.

In English we have different ways of expressing knowledge.

I know.

I understand.

I see.

I comprehend.

I apprehend.

I recognize.

I get it.

And, while these different phrases can be used somewhat interchangeably, they also have different nuances.

For example, I can know something without fully understanding it.

I can know a fact, without experiencing it.

Or, can I know something inside and out, or like the back of my hand.

A full-understanding or comprehension.

In this passage, John specifically uses a word which is related both to seeing, and knowing.

It has the nuance of a full recognition.

To see and understand fully, or to fully recognize.

It is the same verb Jesus uses in John 10:4.

The sheep follow the shepherd because the fully recognize his voice.

And, that is exactly what John is describing when he says two times, I did not know/recognize him in verses 31 and 33.

I did not fully recognize him.

John knew who Jesus was through the Holy Spirit within him.

So what was missing for this full recognition?

John describes that in the rest of verse 33.

God had given John a specific sign so that it would be fully known, fully recognized beyond a doubt for whom John was the forerunner.

The sign of the Spirit coming down when John baptized him.

That is exactly what happened when John baptized Jesus.

Back to Matthew.

God had given a sign.

God wanted it to be shown, to be known without any doubt exactly who Jesus is.

So, God gave this sign to John.

But it was not just for John.

...that he might be revealed to Israel

God wanted everyone to see and fully recognize.

So, he gave a very public, indisputable display to reveal to them that Jesus is the Son of God! God Himself, come in the flesh once again so that his people would know Him, and be saved by him.

What do I mean by again?

God has often come and shown himself as the savior of his people, those who believe in him.

John writes his gospel that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the savior God has promised ever since Adam and Eve first sinned.

And, not only is he the promised savior to save us from our sin, he is none other than the very Son of God!

God wants us to know he is the loving, Savior God who comes!

Just like he did in the past.

Like in Daniel 3, when he came to the rescue of Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo.

After they were threatened with death if they would not give up their God and bow to the idol the king made, they gave their testimony.

Then they were thrown into the furnace that was heated seven times hotter than normal, so hot that the guards who were close enough to throw these three men into the furnace were killed.

Yet these three men were saved!

And what was Nebuchadnezzar’s exclamation as he looked into the furnace?

He saw God the Son standing there in the midst of the furnace saving these men from the flames.

What was the result, even Nebuchadnezzar the king, recognized and glorified God!

He called him the Most high God!

And he went on to proclaim that all should praise God, this one true God that can save as no other god can.

God reveals himself dramatically!

He wants people to know He is the one true God!

He wants people to know that in this evil world, He alone provides salvation!

That salvation is first and foremost being saved from the punishment we all deserve because of sin.

Ultimately, that salvation will be from the very presence of sin as He takes us to be with Him, changes us to be holy and righteous as He is, and establishes the new heaven and new earth in which He will dwell with his people, forever and ever, Amen!

God wants this to be crystal clear!

So He reveals!

He makes it obvious!

He gives signs, things for us to see with our eyes and recognize who He is and what He does for us!

He did it again when Jesus was baptized, and the spirit descended upon him, and God the Father declared, This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased!

Jesus is revealed!!!

He is the One!

He is the One who pleases God!

He is God Himself, come down to be our Savior!

John saw this.

And it made all the difference in His life!

He knew Jesus before, but now he KNEW.

Now, he fully recognized as God made it clear!