Jesus: The Ancient of Days
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· 18 viewsThe testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah
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Introduction: What does it take for us to recognize authority? This is a question that becomes more and more difficult to answer with each passing generation. There was a time when those in authority were respected and admired. I can remember as a child when we would be asked at school what we wanted to be when we grew up. Most of the young boys wanted to be Policemen or Firemen. These were seen as noble professions because of their standing in society. Today, however, it is quite a different story. Those who serve in these areas, especially law enforcement, are constantly maligned and scrutinized while rarely being respected or appreciated for the difficult job they do. There seems to be an entire generation of young people who have no respect for authority. It begins in the home and it spills over into the schools and the city streets. It is a very sad commentary on the current state of this sinful world.
Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, things were not all that different in Jesus’ day. He came to earth and entered into our struggle against sin while having no sin of his own. He came in order to give us an example to follow and to accomplish the plan of redemption which had been in place since before time began. Yet many who encountered Jesus the Messiah during his earthly ministry refused to recognize his identity nor his authority. Jesus performed miracle after miracle in their presence. He taught with a level of authority never seen among men. He was the embodiment of truth and love, but he suffered and died because of it. How can this trend be reversed? Is it possible for us to see Jesus for who He truly is? I believe today’s text points us in the right direction.
1. Prepare the way for Christ (19-28)
1. Prepare the way for Christ (19-28)
Setting: Priests and Levites were sent from Jerusalem by the Jews to determine John’s identity
John made no secret of the fact that he was not the Messiah
The Priests and Levites asked John about specific people
Are you the Messiah?
Are you Elijah? - SEE MATTHEW 11:14 regarding Jesus himself saying John served as Elijah
Are you the Prophet?
Who are you?
We have to tell the Jews something
Help us out here; give us an answer to relay to those in Jerusalem
AUGUSTINE: “For they knew that Elijah would precede Christ. For the name of Christ was not unknown to any Jew. They did not think that he was the Christ, but they did not think that Christ would not come at all. When they were hoping that he would come, they were offended at him when he did come and stumbled at him as on a low stone.… They did not see the lowly stone—but what great blindness not to see the mountain!” (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, 60)
John quotes Isaiah 40:3 - “A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.” (NASB)
The Priests and Levites were not just sent from the Jews, but from the Pharisees / Religious Institution
It is unclear whether or not Pharisees were involved personally in the questioning of John
This question could have very possibly been asked by the Pharisees themselves
Why are you baptizing? You are not the Christ, Elijah, nor the Prophet / You have no authority
D.A. Carson: “One of the things that characterized the baptism of John the Baptist is that he himself administered it. It may even be that the authority implicit in such an innovative step triggered the assumption in the minds of at least some Pharisees that John’s baptism was an end-time rite administered by an end-time figure with great authority” (D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, PNTC, 145).
John does his job / HE POINTS TO JESUS
There is one standing AMONG YOU whom you do not know
The one coming after me is the Christ; I am not worthy to untie his shoes
LOCATION: Bethany beyond the Jordan; REFERENCE TO ISAIAH’S PROPHECY
Colin G. Kruse: “Efforts to locate a Bethany on the east of the Jordan closer to Jericho had previously not proved successful, but in more recent times archaeological work has located what appears to be the site of ‘Bethany on the other side of the Jordan’, ‘located east of the Jordan River, about seven miles north of the Dead Sea’” (TNTC, 78–79).
SEE ISAIAH 9:1-2 - “But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.” (NASB)
2. Testify to the Person of Christ (29-34)
2. Testify to the Person of Christ (29-34)
John declared Jesus to be the “Lamb of God” because he “takes away the sin of the world”
John clarifies by referring to his previous statement regarding Jesus’ authority and standing
He ranks higher than I do because he’s been around longer than I have; Jesus is eternal
John explains the reason for his own ministry as a forerunner of Christ
I didn’t recognize Him as the Messiah
I came baptizing to prepare the way for the Messiah to be “manifested to Israel”
John explains the confirmation of the Holy Spirit of God
The Spirit descended on Jesus as a dove out of heaven
The Spirit remained upon Jesus as confirmation of His identity
John did not initially recognize Jesus as the Christ
God gave John criteria to look for
The one upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one
He will baptize with Holy Spirit; See 1 Corinthians 12:13 - “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (NASB)
John’s final proclamation: “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (34)
Both verbs in this verse are in the Greek perfect tense
This indicates a completed action in the past that has enduring results
Verse 34 is one of more than 20 “references in the Gospel of John which state either explicitly or implicitly that Jesus is the Son of God” (Colin G. Kruse, TNTC, 83).
Conclusion: From the very beginning Jesus has given us abundant evidence and testimony concerning his deity. In John’s gospel, however, Jesus declares it outright. In John 5:39 Jesus says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.” In John 8:58 Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I AM.” In John 10:30 Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” In John 14:9 Jesus says, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.”
Before Jesus ever took on human form the Bible speaks of His eternal nature. Daniel 7:9, 13, 22 mark the three times in all of Scripture where the term “Ancient of Days” is used. In verse 9 the term refers to God the Father, but in verse 22 the term refers to Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He is God wrapped in flesh. He is the Lord of all creation. He was, He is, and He always will be. Today, Jesus is calling your name. He is calling you to repent and believe. Turn from your sinful ways and surrender your all to the Messiah sent from God. His name is Jesus. He is the Ancient of Days. He has loved you with the cross of Calvary where He spilled His blood to purchase your redemption. Say yes to Him today.