The Gospel of John: John 1.29-34

Read and meditate on John 1.34.
Of all the statements John has made to this point about Jesus, surely this would be the most shocking: “this is the Son of God.” From the beginning of His ministry to the end, this unwavering testimony is on the table. Any who doubt or deny that Jesus embraced this title, simply are not allowing the Scriptures to speak for themselves. Jesus is the Son of God, and with fact, every human being must deal.   

                                                                 ³⁴See,
He is the Son of God! For on Him rests
the Spirit of the eternal God, most blessed!”

- John 1.34

Reflect
1.  Read and meditate on Psalm 2. How is the Son of God described in this psalm? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, I also am a child of the Father, so that…

2.  The apostle John omits to tell us about the voice from heaven heard at the baptism of Jesus. Meditate on Matthew 3.16, 17. John the Baptist undoubtedly heard this voice, and so likely did many others. Since God Himself pointed to the Old Testament to identify Jesus, what does this suggest about how we may expect to grow in our understanding of Him? Lord, help me as I read the Old Testament, that…

3.  John uses two verbs to describe his ministry in verse 34. What are they? What does each involve? What place should each of these have in your own ministry? Lord, help me to see You more clearly, so that each day I may…

4.  In a very real sense, our calling as disciples of the Lord reduces to these two activities: see Jesus and testify of Him by our lives and words. John will return to these two verbs in various ways in His gospel. For example, with respect to seeing Jesus, look at John 12.20, 21 and John 20.24-29. What are we looking for when we are trying to see Jesus? Lord Jesus, I want to see you more completely, more truly, and more constantly. Help me to…

5.  Testifying about Jesus will also come up in John’s gospel again and again (cf. John 4.28, 29; John 5.10-15; John 9.24, 25). Seeing Jesus and testifying about Him are inextricably linked in John’s mind. Why should this be so? How can this become more true in your own life? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.

Summary
““John testified … that he [Jesus] was the Son of God.” Therefore, it was necessary that he [Jesus] baptize, who was the only Son of God, not an adopted [son]. The adopted sons are the ministers of the only Son. The only Son has power, the adopted sons have the ministry.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

It is becoming increasingly clear that John the apostle is using John the Baptist to lay down a kind of cornerstone for his gospel. While his account of John’s life and ministry is not as full as those given by Matthew and Luke, the parts he chose to report fit his purpose in writing, that we might see in Jesus the fulfillment of all God’s creative and redemptive purposes, and that we might boldly testify of Him to everyone, relying on the Word and Spirit of God to enable us to fulfill our calling. How has the ministry of John the Baptist helped you understand your own calling better?

Closing Prayer
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The LORD shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.’”

Psalm 2.1-8

Psalm 2.1-8 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their counselors stand against the Lord and His Right Hand.

“Now let us cast His yoke below, His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word; no more be governed by this Lord!”

The Lord in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursed path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

Proclaim the message far and wide that God has exalted the Crucified!
From heav’n He sent us His only Son, Who has for us salvation won!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.