So this lesson main thought that comes to me is this: Do you suppose we are equipped to share the Gospel with others without having a title of Priest, Pastor, Ordained, etc?
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
1) Do you suppose by John's confession, it's important to state that we are not God and cannot do the things God does, yet it is God who does it through us?
2) What tone does this portray the religious leaders?
3) Would you say that everyone was waiting and believing for Jesus to come, even though it was only prophesied and their wasn't any real evidence at the time?
They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
4) Why would they ask him if he was Elijah? What is the significance?
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
5) If he was a prophet, would that have made him more important?
He answered, “No.”
6) John was a prophet, why do you suppose he answered no?
Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
7) What does this personally mean to you?
Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
8) John is claiming he is a normal person with no authority by man, is that what you are?
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
9) Do you feel it's important to give all the glory of your efforts to Christ when man asks?
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
10) Any thoughts to this passage's reason, is it location, history, or something else?
Have a great day friends!
Ang~